Patient identification through electronic wristband in an adult general intensive care unit

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization considers patient safety (PS) to be a key topic for debate. One of the goals is to ensure the correct patient identification in order to prevent PS-related adverse events. Objectives: To analyze the procedures for identification of critically-ill patients using a wristband, and to describe the information recorded by nursing professionals regarding wristband placement, integrity, and readability. Methodology: Descriptive, observational, documentary, quantitative study conducted at an intensive care unit (ICU) in Brazil. Data were collected using a checklist with objective questions on the use of patient wristbands and nursing re-cords. Simple statistics were used for analysis. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, CAAE: 1.517.652. Results: Patients had an identification wristband in 96% of the observations and information regarding the use of a wristband was recorded in 75% of the files. Conclusion: The ICU shows a high adherence to the use of a patient wristband. The staff should receive training on the need for medical patient records.