Colored Wristbands

Case for Change

The Colors
This document explains why each of the colors were selected for the various alert bands.
Risk Reduction Strategies
Seven risk reduction strategies are explained in detail, and includes a quick reference card.

Work Plan Guide
Step by step instructions to implementing standardized wristbands within your facility. Includes a suggested work plan for facility preparation, staff education, and patient education.
Task Charts
Tools that will assist with staff implementation of standardized wristbands.

Sample Policy Form
This policy and procedure template can be customized to meet the specific needs of your facility.
Patient Refusal Form
Sample form to be used with patients who refuse to wear a wristband or refuse to remove social cause bands.

Staff Education

Staff Education Training Tips
The following section regarding staff education has been developed knowing that you may choose to do all of this, or part of it. We hope that we have made this section comprehensive without being overly burdensome. Make this plan work for you; use what you want and remember the goal is to communicate the changes with color-coded alert wristbands to your staff.
Staff Brochure
The tri-fold brochure can be used as the main teaching material, as it contains most of the pertinent information staff need to know for this initiative.
FAQ’s
Frequently asked questions handout for staff.
Power Point with speaker notes
This presentation was created to provide alternate teaching methods for the trainer. It can be used in large and small groups.

Patient Education

Patient Brochure
This brochure was created to hand out to patients and family members so they understand what the wristband colors mean and can confirm the information. Patients should have this information whether they need a color-coded wristband or not because new information may surface as a result of this education. For example, perhaps a patient has an allergy to a certain food but was thinking only about medications when first asked about allergies. During a family visit, a loved one could read this information brochure and bring up the food allergy. This can now be corrected and the patient is not at risk due to an oversight.
- English version
- Spanish version

The Iowa Healthcare Collaborative wishes to thank The St. John Companies, Inc. for their generous sponsorship of the wristband standardization efforts in Iowa. The IHC does not endorse this vendor, or any vendor, and our members are free to use the wristband vendor of their choice.
Click here to read information on wristband vendors.