1. Identification Bands :
All patients will have a legible arm or leg
identification band on at all times. All arm bands will be placed on
the same arm. a.
The initial identification band originates in the
Admissions Department. b.
Permanent replacement bands are obtained from the
Admissions Department when needed. c.
On admission, place identification bracelet on patient's
wrist or ankle. d.
Any armband from prior health care facilities will be
removed. e.
If identification bracelet is removed from the patient
for any reason (IV insertion, etc.), it must be replaced immediately with a
temporary band stocked on the unit. f.
If the name on the identification bracelet becomes
unreadable, the identification band must be replaced. g.
Verify the patient's identification verbally with name
and birthdate and by checking identification band
bracelet before administering any medication or blood, any procedure,
transporting patient, or providing diet. h.
The registered nurse will have the ultimate
responsibility to validate placement of armbands and the continued
maintenance of armbands. 2. Allergy Armbands : a.
Patients who are allergic to food, medication, or other substances
will be identified with red allergy armbands. b. The allergy armband will be available on
the patient pre-made chart. If no
armband is available on the chart/unit they can be obtained from Central
Supply. c. The nurse who initiates the allergy
armband must also complete a Hypersensitivity Label for the patient charts
listing the allergies. These labels
will be placed in view on the patient’s main chart and bedside chart. d. Extra allergy armbands will be in the
bedside chart. 3. High Risk Bands : a.
A blue universal armband shall be placed on all patients
determined by nursing assessment or physician order to be in one of the following
High-Risk categories. ·
Fall Precautions ·
Seizure Precautions ·
Delirium Tremens Precautions ·
Aspiration Precautions ·
Neutropenic Precautions ·
Thrombocytopenic Precautions ·
Spinal Precautions ·
Isolation ·
Patients at Risk for Self-Harm ·
Altered Thought Process ·
Patient Information Protected o
No Information allowed o
Location o
Condition o
Other ·
Patient Name Alert o
Unknown name o
Same name o
Similar name b.
The armband shall be placed on the same arm as the
identification band. Nothing is to be written on the armband. The color will
serve as an alert. c.
All patient care personnel will be educated on the
purpose of the band and the response which should be made in treating and
caring for the patient. d.
The nurse who initiates the precaution and the armband
must also enter in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and complete a blue alert sheet for the patient chart giving
information on the type of precaution. Place in front of chart. e. If the precaution is discontinued, the band may be removed from the patient, the blue alert sheet removed from the chart, and discontinue in the EMR. f.
If the band is removed before the precaution is
discontinued, it must be replaced immediately. g.
The blue armband will be available on the patient
pre-made admission chart. If no armband
is available on the chart/unit they can be obtained from Central Supply. h.
Extra blue armbands will be in the bedside chart. Refer to Clinical Programs Policy: Patient Identification PS.2.11
(Scroll down for form.)
ALERT HIGH RISK PATIENT (Check All Conditions that Apply) This patient requires extra
attention for: ____ Fall Precautions ____ Seizure Precautions ____ Delirium Tremens Precautions ____ Aspiration Precautions ____ Neutropenic Precautions ____ Thrombocytopenic Precautions ____ Spinal Precautions ____ Isolation ____ Self-Harm Risk ____ Altered Thought Process ____ Patient Information Protected __ No Information
__ Location __ Condition __ Other
________________ ____
Patient Name Alert __ Unknown Name __ Same Name __ Similar Name Date Alert
initiated______________ by _____________________ This
sheet should stay in the front of the chart for this admission as long as the
risk to the patient exists. It is not a part of the permanent record. |
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