Objective To discuss the result of the application of color wristbands to prevent and reduce adverse events in the nursing risk management of patients with schizophrenia in open wards. Methods A total of 119 cases of schizophrenia were placed according to the admission sequence, which is 60 patients with odd number for experimental group, and 59 patients with even number for control group.For the experimental group, addition to a conventional hospital care, wristbands of different color were worn depending on patients' risk levels (impulse, running away, self-injury, suicide and medicine-hiding). The wristbands were labeled with graphics representing risk levels.The patients were provided with appropriate hospital care.For the control group, patients wore wristbands with a uniform color and were provided with routine patient care.The incidence of adverse events during hospitalization, satisfaction and the general self-efficacy of responsible nurses were observed. Results For the incidence of adverse events, the difference between the experimental group (2 cases, 3.33%) and control group (8 cases, 13.56%) was statistically significant (P<0.05). For the satisfaction of patients and family members, the differences between experimental group (94.02 ± 3.30) and the control group (80.59 ± 4.12) for patients and the experimental group (96.45 ± 2.37) and the control group (84.74 ± 6.32) for family members, respectively, were statistically significant (P<0.05). As for the general self-efficacy scores of responsible nurses, the score's difference between experimental group (4.02± 0.86) and the control group (3.24± 0.53) was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions By marking the patients with schizophrenia in open wards with color wristbands representing different risk categories and levels, it can reduce the incidence of adverse events during hospitalization, increase the satisfaction and improve the cooperation of family members of patients, enhance the general self-efficacy of responsible nurses, promote the work motivation and quality, and thus, to get a better risk management results on patients with schizophrenia in open wards. Key words: Schizophrenia; Open wards; Color wristbands; Risk management in nursing