Sikeston hospital adopts standardized wristband policy

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Missouri Delta Medical Center is joining hospitals across the state in adopting a new wristband standard to prevent medical confusion.

A statewide survey by the Missouri Center for Patient Safety found that colored wristbands are commonly used to alert hospital personnel that patients have allergies, are prone to falling or have do-not-resuscitate orders.

"Red is the most common," said Emily Featherston, vice president of nursing for MDMC. Featherston said every medical facility she has ever worked at has used red bracelets for identifying patients with allergies.

Until recently there was no standard in Missouri for what color identified which alert, however. Health professionals who work in more than one facility could end up needing to memorize multiple, and sometimes conflicting, meanings for colors.

Last week, Saint Francis Medical Center adopted the new wristband policy.