What must be done with arm identification bracelets for them to be effective?

For arm identification bracelets to be effective, they must be attached to the patient. This ensures that the identification information is directly associated with the individual receiving care, which is critical for accurate patient identification and safety in medical procedures such as blood draws. Having the bracelet physically on the patient minimizes the risk of misidentification, which can lead to serious medical errors, including wrong blood transfusions or administering treatments to the wrong patient.

In contrast, while visibility can be important, it does not guarantee that the information pertains to the person intended; it must be securely attached to the patient’s wrist or arm for reliability. Placing a bracelet on the phlebotomist's arm or keeping it in the patient's file does not serve the purpose of patient identification and could result in dangerous mix-ups in a clinical setting.