Bodily Fluid Color Tool Standardizes Patient Care

A groundbreaking online tool, "What Colour Is It?", developed by Edinburgh Napier University, is set to revolutionize how clinicians describe bodily fluid colors. This free resource offers a standardized palette of clinically relevant shades for sputum, urine, and faeces, each identified by a unique hex code. This system eliminates subjective interpretation, paving the way for more accurate diagnoses and improved patient outcomes. The tool is designed to be simple, accessible via mobile devices, and aims to foster clearer communication between healthcare professionals and patients.

This innovation is particularly beneficial for remote consultations and for patients facing communication challenges due to language barriers, age, or medical conditions like aphasia. It provides a much-needed visual aid that transcends verbal descriptions, making clinical discussions more seamless and effective. The developers emphasize that reducing ambiguity in documentation and communication is crucial for patient safety, citing its potential to prevent errors and improve healthcare delivery across various medical specialisms.

Launched four weeks ago, the "What Colour Is It?" tool has already seen usage from approximately 225 individuals across the UK, America, Norway, Sweden, and Australia. The research team aspires for this tool to become an integral part of the healthcare system, benefiting all professions and fields. Its simplicity and direct applicability make it a powerful, albeit small, intervention with the potential for a significant positive impact on both patient care and overall healthcare safety.