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Wristbands as aids to reduce misidentification: an ethnographically guided task analysis.
Andrew F Smith1, Kate Casey, James Wilson
1Patient Safety Research Unit, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Ashton Road, Lancaster LA1 4RP, UK. andrew.f.smith@mbht.nhs.uk
Summary
Patient identification wristbands in the UK are not fully utilized. Improving application, use, and non-clinical staff awareness can enhance patient safety during transfers and handovers.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare quality and safety
- Patient identification protocols
- Clinical practice analysis
Background:
- Wristbands are recommended in the UK for patient identification.
- Limited research exists on the practical application of wristbands.
- Understanding current practices is crucial for improving patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the practical use of patient identification wristbands.
- To identify areas for improvement in wristband application and utilization.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of workplace observations.
- Interviews with clinical and non-clinical hospital staff.
- Task analysis of wristband application and use.
Main Results:
- Clinical staff show high policy awareness but some ambiguity.
- Non-clinical staff have lower policy awareness, posing identification risks.
- Errors can occur during wristband application, especially with emergency admissions.
- Wristband use for verification varies across clinical scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Patient identification wristbands are underutilized in current practice.
- Enhancing attention to detail in application and use is necessary.
- Recognizing the role of non-clinical staff can improve patient safety during transfers and handovers.
