Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2011;11(2):67-74.
Identification of the patient in pediatric unit: a matter of security
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793201100008
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate whether the patient’s identification before the administration of medications and fluids by nursing professionals follows the guidelines established by the World Health Organization, 2007.
Methodology:
Quantitative study with a descriptive approach, implemented by means of observation, conducted between August and November 2010 with 13 nursing professionals in a Pediatric Inpatient Unit in a teaching hospital of Santa Catarina.
Results:
Were performed 223 observations in which 142 times the patients were identified in someway before the administration of medications and fluids, and of these only 6 of them identified by full name, 81 times were not made any kind of identification, and none of the professionals observed received specific instruction for administering medication in the last two years.
Conclusion:
The results highlighted the need to establish a system of patient identification in order to guarantee its security.