Does anyone have a good system for Identifying those patients arms that cannot be used for IV access other than another bracelet or armband or sign hanging above the bed? We use the sign system but when the patient leaves their room and goes to another department, we would like a way to identify that that arm not be used for venipunctures if the patient can't communicate for themselves. Our patients have the potential to have as many as four armbands now for various reasons so we don't want to see another bracelet or armband. Any suggestions or processes in place elsewhere that have been successful?
Thanks
Patty
Patty,
Our system of hospitals is implementing standard color coding of arm bracelets. Pink will be for "restricted extremity" so that when patients go off unit, they will be identified. It is easy to forget that breast or axillary lymph node surgery (potential lymphedema) is only ONE reason for restricted extremity--DVT, compartment syndrome, fracture, etc.
Thanks but I was looking for something other than another arm bracelet. Our patients have the potential now with falls, blood bank, and other coding to have four arm bracelets. That impacts patient comfort not to mention the more arm bracelets the easier it is to ignore them.
Thanks
Patty