It’s understood that misidentifying newborns can lead to very serious errors, such as, administering the wrong blood products or even sending the wrong infant to surgery. In an effort to prevent newborn identification errors, The Joint Commission recently issued a new requirement that goes into effect January 1, 2019, requiring a distinct naming convention for newborn identification. The new element of performance (EP) will apply to all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals that provide labor and delivery services.

Newborns are a vulnerable patient population because they often appear similar and are unable to speak. The Joint Commission determined there was a need for improved newborn identification practices in the obstetric unit, after extensive research and discussions with leaders in the field.

National Patient Safety Goal

NPSG.01.01.01 Use at least two patient identifiers when providing care, treatment, and services.

NPSG.01.01.01 EP3: For newborn patients: Use distinct methods of identification for newborn patients.

Note: Examples of methods to prevent misidentification may include the following:

– Distinct naming systems could include using the mother’s first and last names and the newborn’s gender (for example: “Smith, Judy Girl” or “Smith, Judy Girl A” and “Smith, Judy Girl B” for multiples).

– Standardized practices for identification banding (for example, two body-site identification and barcoding).

– Establish communication tools among staff (for example, visually alerting staff with signage noting newborns with similar names).

For more information, visit www.jointcommission.org or https://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/R3_17_Newborn_identification_6_22_18_FINAL.pdf

For more information about mother and infant identification wristbands and L&D products, visit www.pdchealthcare.com/newborn.

Naming Convention bandCU baby band

Summary
Joint Commission Issues New Requirement for Distinct Naming Conventions for Newborn Identification
Article Name
Joint Commission Issues New Requirement for Distinct Naming Conventions for Newborn Identification
Description
Newborns are a vulnerable patient population because they often appear similar and are unable to speak. The Joint Commission determined there was a need for improved newborn identification practices in the obstetric unit, after extensive research and discussions with leaders in the field.
Author
Publisher Name
PDC Healthcare
Publisher Logo
SHARE
Previous articleHow Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center Promotes Employee Health with Mammo Monday
Next articleHow TimeAlert® IV Helps Remind Nurses When It’s Time to Change IV Tubing
Jess Johnson is the Senior Brand Manager for Healthcare at PDC, helping to communicate to healthcare customers how PDC solutions can help them with workplace and patient safety. She joined PDC in 2019, with a background in B2B marketing communications and content creation. Jess has Marketing and Journalism degrees from Miami University in Oxford, OH. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Jess now lives in Santa Clarita, CA with her husband and pit-lab mix, Cashmere.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here