Alert, no stick, no BP.

[Karrield]

The hospital that I work at only uses signs posted in the room to notify staff to avoid certain arms for no stick or BP. We recently accepted a patient from another major hospital that arrived with an alert bracelet that said no sticks / no bp. It was large and bright and very noticeable. I am curious how other hospitals alert their staff to avoid BP/sticks in certain arms. We have had a few close calls with phlebo, and an actual stick in an AV fistula this past month, so it seems they are not always noticing the signs. I have tried looking for research on what method is the most effective, but so far I haven't found any.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Pink wrist bracelet that has "LIMB ALERT" printed on it which is placed on extremity that's off limits. Works great.

[OlivetheRN, ADN, BSN, RN]

We have pink sleeve that are made out of sock like material that have no stick/BP printed on them that go on that arm. When stretched full size, it will usually cover about the size off a full forearm so it's pretty darn noticeable and hard to miss. Then I think the floors also have signs to put at the head of the bed as well.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Pink wrist bracelet that has "LIMB ALERT" printed on it which is placed on extremity that's off limits. Works great.

We do the same. It is bright pink, but not particularly large (less wide than the patient identification bracelet). If the pt. were to go off the floor for whatever reason, this would travel with them, as opposed to a sign on the wall.

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

We have pink Limb Alert bracelets, and it's also on a sign posted at the door. The limb alert bracelets work pretty well unless your patient is a confused elderly person who thinks they are handcuffs and pull them off!

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Red bracelets here.

[Karrield]

You made a good point about the patient going off the floor.

[Kimstwin]

Pink wrist bracelet that has "LIMB ALERT" printed on it which is placed on extremity that's off limits. Works great.

We have these. They were actually an idea that one of the phlebotomists had. They work good if the staff is aware of them and knows to look for them.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Pink LIMB ALERT wristband here, too.

We also have different colors for allergy (red), fall alert (yellow), and latex allergy (green). Some patients end up looking like a rainbow!

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

We have pink as well. They work great!!