Staff at Bay of Plenty District Health Board (DHB) are focusing on always identifying themselves to patients, as part of activity for the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s national Patient Safety Week (1–7 November 2015).

The DHB has chosen ‘identify’ as its key theme for the week and are using the Commission’s Hello my name is badges, Communicating well with patients and Preparing to leave hospital resources to encourage better communication between staff and patients.

Identification is a vital tool in improving patient safety, and is an area the DHB is always seeking to make improvements in, says Debbie Brown, Bay of Plenty DHB quality and patient safety manager.

“There are a number of reasons staff should always introduce themselves to patients,” says Debbie.

“While there are safety considerations, such as making sure you are giving medication to the right patient, it also helps put patients and family/whānau at ease if they know the names of staff who are caring for them.”

The DHB is also marking the week in other ways, such as resource displays and competitions for staff.

Pictured below is Director of Nursing Julie Robinson (left) and Quality and Patient Safety Manager Debbie Brown (right) prepare to highlight the importance of identification during Patient Safety Week.