What it means
The identification band put on at admission. It carries the client's name, date of birth and record number, often as a barcode that is scanned before medications and specimen collection. Many hospitals add colored bands for alerts such as allergies, fall risk or do-not-resuscitate status, though colors differ between facilities.
For the nurse
Check the wristband against two client identifiers before every medication, treatment, transfusion or specimen. If a band is missing, wrong or unreadable, replace it before giving care. Never put a band on a bedside table or chart instead of the client.
At a glance
| Also written | wristbands, identification band |
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Related terms
allergy
A reaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people.
two client identifiers
Two pieces of information unique to a client, such as full name and date of birth, used to confirm who they are before care.