Transcript The ABCs of Patient Safety

The ABCs of Patient Safety
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Abbreviations must not include those which are unsafe, e.g., u, IU, Q.D., Q.O.D.,
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Blame hides the truth about errors.
Confidentiality is a MUST and non-chart documents with patient identification must be
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Trailing zero, Lack of a Leading zero, MS, MSO4, MgSO4, g, H.S., T.I.W.
destroyed appropriately, including handwritten notes.
Document the facts and only the facts.
Error is our chance to see weakness and fix it.
Focus on preventing falls.
Guarantee a patient’s readiness for surgery with a completed PRE-OP CHECKLIST.
Handwashing must be done for 15 seconds or with alcohol rubs upon starting work,
between patients, before preparing meds, before and after any procedure, before and after
gloving.
IV Pumps should not free flow.
Just remember: take care of your patients as you would want to be cared for.
Knowledge must be shared.
Look-alike/Sound-alike drugs are kept separate and are differentiated by TALL
MAN/short man lettering.
MDs mark the surgical site with a “yes” or initials.
No concentrated electrolytes should be found on a nursing unit.
Opportunities for solutions are lost by blame.
Preventative maintenance and testing should be routinely done on equipment and alarm
systems.
Quickly address any safety issues.
Reconcile medications on admission, transfers to another unit, level of care, department,
physician, or discharge.
Sentinel Events should be recognized and reported immediately.
Take a Time Out before ANY invasive procedure.
Use two Patient Identifiers whenever giving meds, performing procedures,
administering blood, taking blood or other specimens.
Value the patient’s perspective.
Write down and read back ALL verbal orders and critical test results.
X-ray vision sees the deeper story.
YOU ARE A PATIENT SAFETY OFFICER! YOU CAN MAKE A
DIFFERENCE!
Zeroing in on errors brings us closer to zero errors.