Collaborative Reduces Pediatric Identification Band Errors by 77%

A quality collaborative was able to reduce the incidence of identification band errors at six pediatric hospitals by 77%, according to the results of a study published in the June 2012 issue of Pediatrics. The study, which audited 11,377 patients for identification band errors between September 2009 and September 2010, included three phases: preparatory work and an employee survey of current practice and barriers, data collection of the identification band failure rate, and an intervention driven by data and collaborative learning to accelerate change. Components of the intervention used by participating facilities included verifying identification bands at nursing bedside handoff, engaging patients and families in patient identification and explaining the purpose of the identification band, educating the hospital and individual units about why accurate patient identification bands matter, creating a sense of urgency by using storytelling and examples of wins and failures, implementing voluntary event reporting systems to catch errors or patients without bands in place, selecting new identification bands (softer was critical to patient acceptance), engaging leadership, and discussing the topic on safety walkrounds.