Wristband Standardization Initiative

Overview

Texas hospitals are joining more than 25 other states to improve patient safety by adopting three standard wristband colors: Purple for do-not-resuscitate, red for allergies and yellow for fall risks. The patient safety benefits of standardizing wristband colors are well-documented. The investment in standard color wristbands and staff education will improve the workplace and provide patients with a safer care environment.

In spearheading this voluntary, statewide initiative, the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Organization of Nurse Executives, Texas A&M Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute, and TMF Health Quality Institute collaborated to provide the Color-coded Wristband Standardization Project in Texas toolkit as a benefit to Texas hospitals.

The toolkit is divided up into the following sections:

• Executive Summary and Background (PDF)
• Standardized Wristband Colors  (PDF)
• Work Plan for Implementation (PDF)
• Staff and Patient Education Materials (PDF)
• Policy and Procedure (PDF)
• Post-Implementation Survey (PDF)
• Acknowledgements (PDF)

Also available for download:

• Color version of toolkit (PDF)
• B&W version of toolkit (PDF)
• Related materials (handouts, forms, graphics)
• All files (zipped file of color toolkit PDF and related materials)
  

Questions?
Contact Starr West, senior director of policy analysis at the Texas Hospital Association.