Sometimes, choosing a red patient wristband over a yellow one can be the difference between a safe patient and an injured one, which is why the American Hospital Association is pressing hospitals to standardize the colors they use for this humble but critical patient-care device.

The AHA would like to see all hospitals use red wristbands for patient allergies, yellow ones for a fall risk and purple for patients who've asked for "do not resuscitate" orders. The AHA's action follows guidelines from 25 state hospital associations, which have provided voluntary recommendations on how to standardize wristband colors for patients. According to the AHA, caregivers working in states that have adopted standardized wristband colors have reported reduced confusion, according to the association.

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