Evaluation of patient wristbands and patient identification process in a training hospital in Turkey
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 10 October 2016
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Citation
Cengiz, C., Celik, Y. and Hikmet, N. (2016), "Evaluation of patient wristbands and patient identification process in a training hospital in Turkey", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 29 No. 8, pp. 820-834. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2016-0052
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited