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The Color of Safety: NC Wristband Standardization Project

Following the American Hospital Association Quality Advisory asking all hospitals to consider the use of standardized colors for three patient alerts: RED=ALLERGIES, YELLOW=FALL RISK, PURPLE=DNR, the NC Quality Center in partnership with a diverse taskforce, is leading the state-wide implementation of this recommendation. More than 30 states have already moved to adopt guidelines for standardizing the use of color to communicate patient alerts. With broad support from NCHA, hospitals, and other stakeholders in North Carolina, the NC Quality Center, starting in June 2009, will be promoting the voluntary standardization of the three patient alert colors.

The following toolkit was developed by the NC Taskforce to help healthcare organizations achieve this goal.

If you cannot download a file try right-clicking and choosing the download option from the pop-up menu or try the ZIP version. If you still have trouble contact your IT support staff or the NCHA Help Desk at helpdesk@ncha.org or 919/677-4142.

Implementation Toolkit

Complete Toolkit PDF (8.7MB)
or ZIP file
Executive Summary PDF (1.4MB)
Recommendations for Adoption PDF (2.0MB)
Work Plan - How to Implement PDF (1.7MB)
Staff and Patient Education Materials PDF (4.8MB)
Policy and Procedure PDF (1.4MB)

Education Tools/Resources

Staff Education PowerPoint PPT (4.3MB)
Frequently Asked Questions PDF (172k)
Staff Training Poster #1 PDF (472k)
DOC (1.2MB)
Staff Training Poster #2 PDF (684k)
DOC (1.3MB)
Staff Training Poster #3 PDF (52k)
DOC (52k)
Staff Training Sign-in Sheet PDF (28k)
DOC (36k)
Staff Competency Checklist PDF (36k)
DOC (52k)
Staff Education Brochure PDF (480k)
DOC (596k)
Patient Safety Brochure (English) PDF (1.4MB)
DOC (2.4MB)
Patient Safety Brochure (Spanish) PDF (1.4MB)
DOC (2.4MB)
Sample Policy and Procedure DOC (60k)
Sample Patient Refusal Form DOC (80k)
Work Plan PDF (344k)
Task Charts PDF (276k)
DOC (520k)

Vendor Information

Vendor Contact Info PDF (188k)


NC Hospitals Banding Together: The Challenge
Implement the recommendation by January 1, 2010

Submit Implementation Feedback Form/Request Launch Box

See which hospitals are currently participating

Questions?
Contact Dr. Carol Koeble, Director of the NC Quality Center at ckoeble@ncha.org or at 919-677-4211