Using Pictographs to Prevent Wrong-Patient Errors in NICUs
Assessing the Effectiveness of Pictographs for Preventing Wrong-Patient Errors in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing if using special visual symbols with babies' names can help doctors in NICUs avoid making mistakes about which patient is which.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 6250 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Columbia University Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Baltimore, Maryland and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT03960099 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of Pictographs, which are visual symbols combined with an infant's name and a color-coded border, in reducing wrong-patient errors in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The study employs a multi-site, two-arm, parallel group, cluster randomized controlled design, comparing clinicians who view Pictographs in electronic health records (EHR) to those who do not. The primary goal is to determine if the use of Pictographs leads to a significant decrease in wrong-patient order errors. Additionally, the study will analyze the effectiveness of Pictographs specifically for siblings of multiple births in the NICU.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are all infants receiving care in participating NICUs during the study period.
Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving care in the NICUs during the study period will not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of wrong-patient errors in NICUs, enhancing patient safety.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using visual aids for patient identification, but this specific approach with Pictographs is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All infants receiving care in the study NICUs for whom an order was placed during the study period. * All clinicians with the authority to place electronic orders in the NICU and who placed electronic orders during the study period. Exclusion Criteria: * None
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland and 3 other locations
- Johns Hopkins Medicine — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Completed)
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Montefiore Medical Center — The Bronx, New York, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jason Adelman, MD, MS — Columbia University
- Study coordinator: Jason Adelman, MD, MS
- Email: jsa2163@cumc.columbia.edu
- Phone: 646-317-4803
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.