Designing evidence-based patient safety interventions: the case of the UK's National Health Service hospital wristbands.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Current evidence suggests that hospital inpatient identification wristbands are not used optimally. Here we report a project by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) to inform guidance development to hospitals regarding wristband specifications.

Method: A survey assessed (i) the information on wristbands; (ii) the processes of issuing/checking/applying wristbands onto patients; (iii) the types/designs of wristbands (including colour-coding); and (iv) the main problems faced by staff face in relation to wristbanding patients.

Closing the safety loop: evaluation of the National Patient Safety Agency's guidance regarding wristband identification of hospital inpatients.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Wristbands are essential for accurate patient identification. Some evidence suggests that missing wristbands is not an infrequent occurrence in acute hospitals. The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has developed guidance on patient identification for hospitals in England and Wales.