The use of red wristbands for allergy documentation in day case surgery

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of a procedure for identifying patients with allergy in paediatric emergency rooms]

INTRODUCTION

Correct identification of the patient with an allergy is critical for patient safety, since it involves a potential risk of a serious adverse event (AE). Our Emergency Pediatric department has an integrated quality management and risk management system focused on the continuous improvement of patient care quality and safety, which incident reporting system could identified a potential risk arising from the registration of allergies in new computer softwares. As a safety barrier, an allergy identification procedure was implemented, using a sticker placed on the identification bracelet (RED: allergy; WHITE: non-allergies).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive study was conducted to evaluate, by direct observation, the correct identification of patients with allergy using this new protocol. The reports of incidents related to this procedure were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 342 patients included, 327 (95.6% (95%:93.4-97.8%)) were correctly identified. Identification errors were most common in the group of patients with allergies [10 of 45; 22.2% (95%:10.1-34.4%) than in the non-allergic group: 5 of 297; 1.7% (95%:0.2-3.2); p<0.001)]. No AEs were reported. 2 quasi-incidents detected before reaching the patient were reported thanks of the protocol application.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure is a useful safety barrier and can be easily exported to other units. Further work is needed to promote the professional's adherence to the protocol and improve the correct identification of the patient with allergy.