Hospital puts names on doctors’ hats to improve communication

By Filipa Gaspar

A hospital has put name badges on doctors' medical hats - so patients know who is treating them.

The badge hats have been designed by Danielle Checketts a former medical professional - as she was being misidentified as other people when wearing scrubs during her surgeon training days.

Medical professionals in orthopaedic theaters at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, have been trialling the new reusable theater hats - each with personalized name badges.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said patients have expressed a "strong preference" for knowing who is providing their care.

Checketts, from hospital clothing company Eco Ninjas, said for patients entering a theater department can be a "daunting experiencing" - especially if they don't know the names of the staff providing their care.

She added: "In my own experience of being a patient undergoing a C-section, I met with the surgeon and anesthetist prior to surgery, but once I was in the room, I had no idea who they were, which made me feel incredibly nervous and anxious.

"I struggled to identify the caring professional who administered my epidural amidst the sea of blue scrubs and caps.

''I just wanted to focus on a familiar face, someone I trusted from my earlier experience, but everyone looked the same and I couldn’t remember her name.

"I have also encountered being misidentified when I was a student nurse in theaters, and as a representative on numerous occasions, which I why I am so passionate to try to make a difference and provide a solution to stop this from happening in the future.”

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Orthopaedic consultant Andy Stevenson said the hats "make it easier" for staff, patients and visitors to know who everyone is and what their job role is.

Andy said: "Previously, our theater hats were essentially single use plastic, thrown away after each operation.

"By introducing reusable hats, we’re hoping to reduce our impact on the environment, as well as make it easier for colleagues, patients and visitors to be able to know who everyone is and what their job role is.

"These reusable theater hats can be used hundreds if not thousands of times, and once they wear in a bit they will be more comfortable too.”

He added: “In theater, there can be a really high turnover of colleagues at times, with new people coming and going all the time.

"This can make it really difficult to know who is who, let alone what jobs they have. Some days, it will be the first time working with half the people in the room.”

When Somerset NHS Foundation Trust shared the news about the new hats on their social media page, one patient commented: “I had orthopaedic surgery yesterday at Musgrove Park Hospital and must say as a patient this was lovely.

"People wear ID lanyards but often have them tucked in pockets to keep them out of the way.

"I could talk to people and immediately know who they were and what their role was. Very reassuring. Well done all and thank you all for amazing care yesterday.”

A spokesperson for the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it is looking at ways to roll the scheme out further across its sites with operating theaters, including Minehead and West Mendip.