What's in a Newborn's Temporary Name? Possible Trouble

Using a distinct temporary first name that incorporated the mother's first name reduced wrong-patient electronic orders by 36%.

Newborns must be given an immediate temporary first name, which most often is “Babyboy” or “Babygirl.” These nondistinct names can be a source of medical errors and misidentification.

In one center's NICU, interventionists created a distinct first name for newborns that incorporated the mother's first name. For example, in the case of a fictional mother named Wendy Jackson, a daughter would be temporarily named “Wendysgirl Jackson” rather than “Babygirl Jackson.” For multiple births, a number was added in front of the distinct name (e.g., “1Wendysgirl,” “2Wendysgirl”). To assess the effectiveness of this naming convention, researchers evaluated the incidence of wrong-patient errors during the 1-year period before and after the intervention. …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

What's in a Newborn's Temporary Name? Possible Trouble

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Reviewing Author