Acceptability of Using Newborns' Given Names at Birth: Survey in Postpartum and Antepartum Units [01O]. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Besagar, Sonya; Robles, Patrick Louie; Rojas, Chanel; Applebaum, Jo R.; Adelman, Jason S.; Goffman, Dena
• Is Part Of: Obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 135(2020)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000663748.16818.3f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-7844

Abstract

Abstract : INTRODUCTION: Wrong-patient orders present a significant patient safety risk to newborns during delivery hospitalization. Adopting a distinct newborn naming convention (Wendysboy vs Babyboy) significantly reduced the risk of wrong-patient orders in neonatal intensive care units. However, multiple-birth infants remain at high risk, attributable to errors between siblings with nearly identical names (Wendysboy 1, Wendysboy 2). Using newborns' given names at birth may reduce this risk, but acceptability to parents is unknown. METHODS: Research personnel surveyed a convenience sample of women in postpartum and antepartum units, in English or Spanish, at a large academic medical center. Data collected included: timing of newborn name selection, willingness to use given names for identification in the hospital at birth, demographics, and pregnancy-related information. RESULTS: A total of 253 women were surveyed postpartum (mean age 32.1±5.7 years; mean gestational age [GA] at delivery 38.5±1.7 weeks, 4.0% multiple gestation) and 25 antepartum (mean age 33.2±6.1 years; mean GA 30.3±3.2 weeks; 28.0% multiple gestation). Postpartum, 84.6% (214/253) of women had selected names and would have been willing to use them on the day of delivery; of those, 71.5% (153/214) had selected names before the 3rd trimester. Antepartum, 64% (16/25) had selected names that they would be willing to use at birth. The survey is ongoing; final results will be presented. CONCLUSION: The majority of parents have given names available for use at birth. Assigning given names rather than temporary names in the hospital is a feasible systems-level strategy to reduce wrong-patient errors among multiple-birth infants.