Color-Coding Patients

There are 23 states in the US that have adopted the American Hospital Association’s recommendation to standardize the color codes of patient wristbands. The rationale for this recommendation is that some caregivers work in more than one facility and standardization will ensure that quick and appropriate care is administered. Although the AHA is not promoting the use of color-alert wristbands, it is encouraging consistency in the color designation: Red – allergy, yellow – fall risk, and purple – do not resuscitate.

The colors were selected based on the following:

* Red means stop; therefore, a red wristband alerts the caregiver to check medication, food or treatment for possible allergic reactions.
* Yellow indicates “caution”, “slow down” or “take precaution”. This color indicates the patient may need special assistance when walking or being transferred to prevent falling.
* Purple. No special explanation was provided for its selection. However, it alerts caregivers that the patient has an end-of-life directive on the patient’s chart.

Does this all sounds reasonable and in line with quality patient care? Are there other issues that impact the use of color-coded wristbands. For example, allergic reactions can change or not previously be reported. In the use of the purple band, there are definitely issues as patients may change their minds as their health conditions change or the patient may not want others to know of his/her decision.

There are other issues that may present problems such as color blindness of caregivers (does anyone test for this?) and the current fad of wearing wristbands in support of various causes (pink for breast cancer awareness).

If a hospital does implement the use of standardized color-coded wristbands, I encourage the medical staff to have a very clear policy on use, documentation, and verification protocol.

What’s in place at your hospital? Do you have a policy to cover color wristband use?

Carole La Pine, MSA, CPMSM, CPCS