Medical ID bracelets have become an integral component to hospital safety and function. While medical ID bracelets are a good way to help staff identify patients, they're also a medium through which staff communicates about patient status. Proper communication about patient status protects hospitals from costly errors.

Before selecting a medical ID bracelets provider, you should consider the specific needs of your facility. While evaluating medical ID bracelets information, look for these characteristics.

1. New medical ID bracelet technology includes the use of barcodes to facilitate retrieval of patient information.

2. Maternity wards and pediatric facilities utilize mother-child or parent-child medical identification bracelets.

3. Some bracelets, made from foam, are more comfortable for patients.

4. Hospitals use colored wristbands in addition to standard medical ID bands.

5. Bracelets use different closure techniques including Velcro, snap and re-adjustable closures.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find hospital ID bracelets with barcode technology

The use of barcodes on hospital identification bracelets has increased the efficiency of communication between hospital staff members. Instead of having to filter through paperwork, nurses can simply scan the medical ID bracelet and obtain vital patient information at the point of service.

I recommend: Review the video offered by General Data. This video explains how personal ID wristbands offer clear images, printed using thermal printer technology. Scansmart offers several barcode wristbands including Z-Band Direct Wristbands, Z-Band QuickClip Wristbands, Z-Band 4000 and the Z-Band 4000 Void.

Select parent-child medical identification bracelets

Most hospitals or surgical centers require children and parents to wear medical ID bracelets while the child is a patient at the hospital. This prevents mix-ups from occurring and protects the safety and well-being of the child.

I recommend: Contact Precision Dynamics, which offers various types of mother-child wristband, including wristbands designed for neonatal patients. Relyco also offers adult medical ID bracelets that are able to fit the wrists of adult and pediatric patients.

Locate color-coded medical ID bracelets

Many medical facilities often use a second color-coded bracelet to categorize patients. For example, a red bracelet is a quick alert to staff that the patient has an allergy. These color-coded bracelets provide health-care workers with an additional safeguard.

I recommend: Check out the color wristbands at Wristband Specialty. They have a wide variety of colors and styles available. Wristband Express offers various vinyl and plastic colored wristbands. Their products range from wristbands worn for a few days to wristbands designed for long-term use.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use a medical ID bracelets list or a medical ID bracelets directory to create a list of providers.