Wearing identification wristbands: implications for newborn safety in maternity hospitals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the wearing of identification wristbands in newborns admitted in a public maternity hospital, regarding patient safety. Method: descriptive study, of the survey type, carried out in a reference public maternity hospital, through observations and interviews. Two hundred and sixty newborns were included. Results: 15.4% of the newborns had no identification wristbands, and 18% of the wristbands had data that did not match with the medical records. 90.9% of the wristbands were easily accessible for checking; however, in 80.9% of the cases, the wristband was not checked before the nursing procedures, and the mother or caregiver was not instructed on wearing the wristband in 76.8% of respondents. Conclusion and implications for practice: there should be training of the nursing team and other health professionals on the placement and daily checking of wristbands, considering international protocols and recommendations regarding patient safety.