Use of identification wristbands among patients receiving inpatient treatment in a teaching hospital

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the use of identification wristbands among patients hospitalized in inpatient units.METHOD: quantitative, descriptive and transversal research, with a sample of 385 patients. Data collection occurred through the observational method through the filling out of a structured ques...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Louíse Viecili Hoffmeister, Gisela Maria Schebella Souto de Moura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2015-02-01
Series:Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-11692015000100036&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the use of identification wristbands among patients hospitalized in inpatient units.METHOD: quantitative, descriptive and transversal research, with a sample of 385 patients. Data collection occurred through the observational method through the filling out of a structured questionnaire which aimed to check the presence of the identification wristband and the identifiers used. Descriptive statistics with absolute and relative frequencies was used for analysis.RESULTS: it was obtained that 83.9% of the patients were found to have the correctly identified wristband, 11.9% had a wristband with errors, and 4.2% of the patients were without a wristband. The main nonconformities found on the identification wristbands were incomplete name, different registration numbers, illegibility of the data and problems with the physical integrity of the wristbands.CONCLUSION: the study demonstrated the professionals' engagement in the process of patient identification, evidencing a high rate of conformity of the wristbands. Furthermore, it contributed to identify elements in the use of wristbands which may be improved for a safe identification process.
ISSN:1518-8345