title: Use of identification wristbands among patients receiving inpatient treatment in a teaching hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the use of identification wristbands among patients hospitalized in inpatient units.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: aff1.
authors: Louíse Viecili
authors: LV
authors: Hoffmeister
authors: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Gisela Maria Schebella Souto
authors: GM
authors: de Moura
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D010355:Patient Identification Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*