Facility does not use patient arm bands

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Specializes in ICU.

I recently started working in a 10 bed semi-acute care facility. All care is provided by RNs and aides. This facility does not place armbands on their patients! MARs are all kept together in one book and meds are pulled from a locked cabinet in a med room and then taken to the patient in a cup. Many of the patients are unable to state their name or DOB, so we are identifying patients based solely on room numbers! How can they pretend this is safe?! Working at this facility truly makes me concerned for my license.

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Specializes in ICU, BURNS, TRAUMA, TRANSPORT, HH.

The MAR doesn't have a photo of the resident?

You may not give the med unless you are certain that you have identified the correct patient!

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Specializes in ICU.

The MAR doesn't even have a DOB. It has a patient name and account number, neither of which are on an armband or anywhere inside or outside of the room.

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Specializes in Pedi.

That's sketchy. What's the rationale for not using name bands?

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Specializes in ICU.

I don't know. I've only worked a few shifts so I haven't asked anyone in administration, but when I ask the other nurses they just act like it's no bug deal. Well it's a big deal to me!

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Specializes in ICU.

Big deal, obviously, not bug deal.

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Specializes in ICU, BURNS, TRAUMA, TRANSPORT, HH.

You cannot give meds unless you can specifically identify the patient. IT IS YOUR LICENSE in jeopardy should something untoward happen and a family sues.

Discuss this rationally with your management with several inexpensive, unobtrusive suggestions to remedy your concern.

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Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
That's sketchy. What's the rationale for not using name bands?

I've worked in two LTCs/SNFs and they don't see them as homelike. "You don't wear an ID band... in your home! No one says... you can't go to the bathroom because dinner is coming out and you just went five minutes ago... in your home! No one puts a bed alarm on you, in your home!"

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Although in Canada I work in LTC and we don't use armbands but we do use pictures and we update pictures every 6 months

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Specializes in ICU.

This facility is not a SNF or an LTAC. I'd rather not say what type of facility it is because it would pretty much give me away if anyone from the facility read this, but these patients do not live there and are typically there for treatment of acute symptoms.

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I would definitely talk to admin/DON about this. You can make suggestions. I would think if nothing else pictures in the MAR is a start (just make sure they are updated and actually look like the patient)

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