Do No Harm: 5 Ways Healthcare Providers can Promote Patient Safety

DO NO HARM: 5 WAYS HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS CAN PROMOTE PATIENT SAFETY There are many things healthcare organizations can do to ensure the well-being of the many patients that come through their doors. Explore with AKW Medical to learn 5 great ways to promote patient safety in your organization and the healthcare industry as a whole. 1:GAUGE YOUR ORGANIZATION'S SAFETY CULTURE The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers 4 free surveys to identify patient safety strengths and needed improvements. Find them for free at AHRQ.gov for: NURSING MEDICAL OFFICES HOSPITALS PHARMACIES HOMES • Take only 15-20 minutes to complete • Take once every 6-16 months 2:CONTRIBUTE TO PROGRESS BY WORKING WITH A PATIENT SAFETY ORGANIZATION • The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act in 2005 brought about the creation of patient safety organizations (PSOS) • Safe, confidential place for healthcare organizations to report information • Reported information is used to identify problems and solutions, contributing to the greater good 3) ENCOURAGE PATIENTS TOo GET INVOLVED Free! • The Joint Commission offers an award-winning patient safety program called Speak Up to help patients play an active role in their health care. • Brochures, posters, and videos are available for free at jointcommission.org with no copyright or reprint permissions required! • Materials are readily available in English or Spanish, but can be translated to any language. 4:SUPPORT YOUR STAFF • Build teamwork to improve communication and efficiency oFree training materials at AHRQ.gov •Decrease hospital shifts to under 16 consecutive hours oThe rate of serious medical errors at two Boston hospital intensive care units (ICUS) by first-year interns dropped by 36 percent when 30-hour work shifts were eliminated. • Reduce distractions, especially during critical times such as shift changes oCreate a zone of silence near medication preparation carts and other areas where concentration is essential 5.MAKE EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE A PRIORITY • Vital to the longevity, accuracy, and efficiency of Muw your equipment • Should be done at least once a year • Requires specialized equipment and a certified engineer • AKW Medical offers calibration services by CBET-certified engineers in the San Diego area CALIBRATION OK ::AKW SOURCES: MEDICAL support for life https://www.premierinc.com/safety/safety-share/05-07-downloads/03-ahrq-10-tips.pdf http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/6/Facts_Speak_Up.pdf http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/patientsafetyculture/index.html http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/pa- tientsafetyculture/hospital/2011/index.html http://www.helixindia.com/image/calibrate.pdf http://www.akwmedical.com/services/equipment-calibration