NYHQ Part of Clinical Collaboration Examining New Strategies for Pediatric Patient Identification Bands

Friday, September 28, 2012

            NYHQ Part of Clinical Collaboration Examining New Strategies for Pediatric Patient Identification Bands    
                                               Results Published in the Journal Pediatrics

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Jackie Shutack (718) 670-1579
Jackie.Shutack@gmail.com

Heather Carman (718) 670-2744
Heathermcarman@gmail.com

Flushing, N.Y., September 28, 2012 – New York Hospital Queens collaborated with six hospitals to examine ways to improve the accurate use of pediatric hospital identification (ID) bands and reduce potential errors. The research, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that the combined ID band failure rate dropped from 17 to 4.1 percent at the six participating hospitals during the research period. Hospital ID bands are unique identifiers used to track patients and their care during a hospital stay.

Laurie Gordon, M.D., director of the Inpatient Pediatric Unit at NYHQ, led the research at NYHQ. “Our goal was to reduce ID band errors by 50 percent within nine months, and we did that.”

The research found that consistent placement and accuracy of pediatric patient ID bands could be improved. The survey of 11,377 patients showed in some cases, ID bands were illegible, removed during patient care (e.g., for a blood draw) or because the patient was uncomfortable, and the ID bands were not replaced. Accuracy of information and correct placement of ID bands is a tool used to ensure proper care is delivered to each patient.

The collaborating institutions used several strategies to reduce pediatric ID band errors, including staff education and meetings, patient and family education and changing the types of ID bands used.

New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

For more information about New York Hospital Queens, visit www.nyhq.org.

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