Getting on the Bandwagon

LifeBridge Health is on the bandwagon - the wristband bandwagon, that is.

Poor communication about risk factors can lead to negative effects. “Get on the Bandwagon” is a patient safety campaign to standardized color wristbands that alert caregivers to some risks patients may face.

For example, a patient may be allergic to penicillin, in which case they would be asked to wear a red wristband. Another patient may be at risk for a fall, in which case they would wear yellow. More than a third of adults over the age of 65 fall each year, and preventing falls has been a major effort at LifeBridge Health.

The risk factors and their coordinating colors are:

The colors are:

• Purple: do not resuscitate
• Red: allergy
• Green: latex allergy
• Pink: restricted extremity
• Yellow: fall risk

The "Get on the Bandwagon” campaign is an initiative of the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) and the Maryland Patient Safety Center (MPSC). Since many health care workers float between facilities, standardizing the colors across the state will help with a clear message. Employees are also asked to reiterate the importance of the wristbands to patients and families in order to promote education around the program.

According to the Maryland Patient Safety Center, more than 30 states are using the color-coded wristbands already, or plan to implement the program soon.

To read more about Get On the Bandwagon, click here.

Nurses Honored by Dunkin' Donuts

The Greater Baltimore area Dunkin' Donuts' “Thanks to You” heroes program salutes a different group of local heroes each month by offering them a free medium coffee every Tuesday.

This month, it's nurses who are being honored. Any Tuesday in August, nurses can receive the free coffee by showing their hospital badge.

Sinai Hospital nurses joined WJZ's Ron Matz this morning to kick off the celebration. Lia Walker, RN, BSN, a Sinai Labor and Delivery nurse and Maryland Hospital Association nursing representative for the Who Will Care? initiative, spoke with Matz about her career and the need for nurses. To see the clip, click here.

Walker is now in her eighth year of working at Sinai. A native of Pennsylvania, she received her nursing degree from the University of Maryland, and has worked in Labor and Delivery for the past three years.

Dunkin' Donuts will honor teachers in September, firefighters in October, veterans and active military personnel in November, and police officers in December. Stores participating include Baltimore city, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Talbot, Queen Anne and Kent counties.