Pictographs in electronic health records aim to stop wrong-patient errors in newborn ICUs

NCT ID NCT03960099

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether showing a simple pictograph (a picture symbol like a rainbow or lion) in the electronic health record helps doctors and nurses avoid placing orders for the wrong baby in the NICU. Over 6,000 newborns and their clinicians at three hospitals will be randomly assigned to see the pictograph or not. The goal is to reduce wrong-patient order errors, which can be dangerous for fragile newborns.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

pictographs (simple picture symbols) displayed in the electronic health record

What this could lead to

If it works, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to prevent dangerous medical mix-ups in newborn intensive care units.

What could go wrong

This is a behavioral intervention, not a drug or device, so its effect may be modest. The trial is still recruiting, and results may not apply to all hospitals or patient groups.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    COMPLETED

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

  • Johns Hopkins Medicine

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

    Contact

  • Montefiore Medical Center

    ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

    The Bronx, New York, 10461, United States

  • New York-Presbyterian Hospital

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

    Contact