How effectively and consistently is your organization using staff badges?
Staff badges are used for a variety of reasons such as to identify staff by name and job classification, provide access through the organization, and include safety reminders like emergency code information. Staff badges help patients distinguish individuals by their departments and can reassure patients through the clear visualization of staff photos and area of expertise. In emergencies, badges allow other staff members to quickly determine who is credentialed to assist. For these reasons and more, staff badges serve key roles in healthcare organizations.
While staff badges are a long-established mainstay of healthcare practices, we routinely observe staff badges missing during our onsite engagements. When badges are worn, we have seen badges worn below eyesight or covered by outer clothing, making it difficult to clearly read the badge information. Staff identification is a key element of any healthcare security plan. Communicating well-defined expectations of how badges should be worn and verifying compliance through leadership rounds are two effective ways of instilling this critical safety and security practice throughout your organization.
Additionally, we often encounter identification badges left hanging on unattended laboratory coats or jackets. Badges could be left on counters and other areas easily accessible to non-healthcare staff. These unattended identification badges could easily provide access to locations with higher levels of security and should never be left unattended. Lost or missing identification badges need to be reported immediately to your Security Department.
Please contact us for questions or more information at 704-573-4535 or info@courtemanche-assocs.com.
Courtemanche & Associates specializes in Healthcare Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance Consulting Services. With over 29 years of being in business and 100+ years of healthcare experience amongst our consulting team, we are ready to assist with your accreditation and regulatory compliance needs.