Evaluation of patient wristbands and patient identification process in a training hospital in Turkey.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the utilisation of patient wristbands (PWs) and patient identification (PI) process in a training hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Design/methodology/approach This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in a training hospital with 640 beds, accreditied by Joint Commission International. The views of 348 patients and 419 hospital personnel on the implementation of patient wristbands and identification process were evaluated. Findings The results indicated that lack of information among patients about the importance of PWs and the misknowledge among staff participants on when, where, and by whom PWs should be put on and verified were the weakest points in this hospital. Research limitations/implications PI process must be strictly implemented according to the standard procedures of patient safety. Both patients and hospital personnel should be trained continuously, and training sessions must be held to increase their awareness about the importance of PWs and identification process. Practical implications Finding new ways and using new methods for increasing knowledge about PI and PWs are necessary. Hospital management should prepare a written PI and PW policy and procedure documents by taking the views of patients and hospital personnel and share these with them. Originality/value This study incorporates the views and attitudes of patients and health care personnel in improving health care quality by increasing awareness about PI and wristbands.
Healthcare Quality and Accreditation Institute of Turkey, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
Canan
C
Cengiz
Department of Health Care Management, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey.
Yusuf
Y
Celik
Department of Integrated Information Technology, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
Neset
N
Hikmet
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010355:Patient Identification Systems / Q000379:methods*; D061214:Patient Safety; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013531:Surgicenters; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
Continuous quality improvement; Medical error; Patient identification; Patient safety; Patient wristbands; Quality assurance; Quality improvement; Service delivery