The followings are criteria on Patient Safety: Communication, Medications, Patient education,Sentinel events, Suicide risk and prevention, Fall risks and prevention.
The best patient safety will be the involvement of patients in their own plan of care and treatment. This is a “Safety Strategy ” that will encourage and motivate patients to report any safety concerns that they may have in regards to their care.Families should be encouraged to activate RRT if they think that their love one is getting worse or sudden decline.
(1)COMMUNICATION:There should be effective communication among healthcare professionals, caregivers,patients and families.
(2)MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION : The nurse must use two patient’s identification (identifiers that must not include patient room number)The reason is that sometimes patient can be moved to another room or discharged. Check the patient identification number with medical records.If patient is alert and oriented x4, let them verbalize their name while you check their records. The list of patient medications should be provided to the next patient provider of care at end of shift.( Patient home medication, any medication with Pharmacy)Labeling all medications and take note of sound alike and look alike medications.
(3)EDUCATION:Teaching of patients is very important. The education should be individualized and based on the disease process. There should be demonstrations and return demonstrations. Patient for example on Coumadin needs to be educated on side effects of coumadin, including the laboratory tests ,also about Coumadin clinics. Healthcare professionals should be able to communicate effectively with each others in care of patients.Critical laboratory results should be reported to the doctor and documented.Test results “Read Back” and communicated to the right source.High blood pressure should be reported to the doctor for example 150/90.High Blood sugar should be reported. If you admitted diabetic patient and there is no order for blood sugar check, the doctor should be called to obtain order from the doctor.
(4)SUICIDE RISK PATIENTS: There are patients that are suicidal risk.And these groups need to be identified upon admission through the questionnaires used such as ” Do you plan to Harm Yourself?.Upon identification the proper channels are followed for treatment. These patients are treated for behavioral problems or emotional disorders. Some of them might need suicidal watch or need to be transferred to Psychiatric hospital for proper treatment and care.
(5)WHAT IS SENTINEL EVENTS?.
Sentinel event and also adverse events.
According to the the American health accreditation organization sentinel event is described as any unanticipated events in healthcare settings that resulted in psychological, physical injuries or death should be prevented from happening and if it happens must be reported .Do No harm to the patients.
(6)INFECTION PREVENTION:Prevention of HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTIONS is very important and top priority when taking care of the patients. Follow the CDC guidelines and WHO recommended guidelines on proper procedures for hands washing techniques.
FALL RISK: Upon admission patient should be evaluated for fall risk.Does the patient have history of fall?.Has patient fell in the last three months?.If patient is at risk for fall,fall risk sign should be placed at patient door, patient should wear yellow gown and fall risk assessment should be included in patient plan of care.The Fall Risk assessment tools are use to find out if patient has low,moderate or high risk for fall.If patient is at risk for fall.Patient should be placed in a sitter room orientation and reorientation. Inpatient falls are classified into three types of falls accidental fall which is due to environmental factors, unanticipated fall,anticipated falls. Falls are among the leading cause of injury related deaths in senior citizen over the ages of 65years old and older in USA. According to WHO ( World health organization) fall is the second leading cause of accidental death or unintentional injury related deaths in the world. Fall can lead to head injury, internal bleeding or terrible fractures such as acetabular fracture which leads to immobility in elderly. This immobility will lead patient to develop pneumonia which eventually kill the older adult.
Nurses You Move Me 