Identification Bracelets

The use of coloured bracelets is to identify residents who are at high risk for falls. Other similar methods include placing signs, stickers, or tags above the resident’s bed, at the nursing station, or on the resident’s chart. The purpose of this method is to remind staff that the resident is at high risk for falls and thus trigger interventions to reduce falls. This method may also serve to make the residents more aware of falls, and thus remind them to call for help when attempting to move.

Evidence of Effectiveness:

After examining the literature, Agostini and colleagues (2001) found many studies on the use of identification bracelets, signs, or tags for high-risk patients. However, of these studies, only one assessed the effect of identification bracelets independent of other interventions. This study, conducted by Mayo and colleagues (1994) examined the effect of identification bracelets on time-to-first-fall. The study found a fall rate of 42% in the intervention group and 30% in the control group, but the results were not statistically significant. In general, there is currently insufficient information as to whether identification bracelets, as an isolated intervention, decrease falls. However, no potential harm for its use has been identified and the costs for implementation are minimal.

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