Patientenidentifikation 2.0

Introduction Improved medication safety and prevention of adverse drug events among hospital inpatients has many facets, such as improved ordering procedures by use of CPOE (Computerised Physician Order Entry) and CDSS (Clinical Decision Support System) functions. For this study we concentrated on the correct administration of drugs to the correct patient and performed a questionnaire study to evaluate the utilisation of patient bracelets in Swiss hospitals. Methods/Results An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 264 Swiss hospitals and answers were received from 73 institutions. Fifteen (22%) of the institutions used patient bracelets for identification, and another 10 (19%) planned to do so. Fourteen (93%) of the institutions using bracelets wrote name and birthdate on the bracelet, 11 (73%) a case identifier and 8 (53%) a patient identifier. Only six (40%) used a barcode on the patient bracelet and only one (7%) radiofrequency identification (RFID). We asked all institutions how they performed patient identification during any medical contact. Multiple answers were allowed. Sixty-eight (93.2%) of the 73 institutions used oral communication, 33 (45.2%) had additional nametags fixed to the bed, 17 (23.2%) also checked the bracelet and only 2 (2.7%) used a technical device (barcode scanner) to check identity. Among the 10 who planned to introduce patient bracelets, the rate for use of barcodes was identical (4; 40%), whereas an increased use of RFID was planned by 1 (10%). The remaining 5 (50%) will use only clear text information on the bracelets. Most institutions used patient bracelets for inpatients and most started filling out the bracelet when the patient entered the nursing station. The feedback from staff was predominantly positive, although doctors seemed to be the more sceptical. Conclusion Our results demonstrate a strong interest in the topic. When both performed and planned patient bracelet introductions are included, nearly half of Swiss hospitals will use this technology. But only one will rely on RFID and a negligent minority employ technical devices to prevent patient misidentification. Thus there is a remaining gap to bridge in order to achieve better medication safety by avoiding misidentification cases.