Uniforms by color: Can they aid in caregiver identification?
For many patients in the hospital, keeping up with the numerous caregivers they see on a daily basis can add a whole new level of complexity to their hospital stays. A study published in a recent issue of Nursing Management magazine illustrates how overwhelming it can be for patients to correctly identify their own caregivers.
To solve this problem, some hospitals are turning to color-coded uniforms, most often scrubs, for each different type of staff member, reports a recent article in the Creston (Iowa) News and Advertiser . For example, nurses would wear one color, nutritionists another, pharmacists another, and respiratory therapists another. Patients and their families are made aware of the color scheme upon admission into the facility so that they can more easily identify caregiver roles. The uniform colors are thought to reduce apprehension about seeking out the correct staff member and boost patient satisfaction.
About the Author: Heather Comak is a Managing Editor at HCPro, Inc., where she is the editor of the monthly publication Briefings on Patient Safety, as well as patient safety-related books, webcasts, and audio conferences. She is also is the Assistant Director of the Association for Healthcare Accreditation Professionals (www.accreditationprofessional.com) and manages Patient Safety Monitor (www.patientsafetymonitor.com), of which this blog is a part.
Contact Heather by e-mailing hcomak@hcpro.com
