Q&A: Adding identity information to wristbands

Q. What information can safely be imprinted on a nursing home resident’s wristband (for going out to a doctor appointment or other activity such as a baseball game)? We would like to provide enough information for emergency or safety purposes but not enough to put one at risk for ID theft.

A. It would be reasonable to include the patient’s full name and the facility’s name and telephone number. Do not include other information, such as the patient’s date of birth or Social Security number, which could put the patient at risk for identity theft.

Editor's note: This question was answered by Mary D. Brandt, MBA, RHIA, CHE, CHPS. Brandt is a healthcare consultant specializing in healthcare regulatory compliance and operations improvement.This information does not constitute legal advice. Consult legal counsel for answers to specific privacy and security questions. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not represent HCPro or ACDIS. Email your HIPAA questions to Editor Nicole Votta at nvotta@hcpro.com.