HLT-313v Week 3 Topic 3 Discussion 1

Looking ahead to 2020, pick one area of the current National Patient Safety Goals program and make a prediction of what might change in that area based on technological or other advancements. Consider patient identification standards, communication processes, and infection control protocols, among others.

You are required to use and cite a minimum of two references to support your response.

 

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National Patient Safety Goals

Introduction

Are you a hospital safety leader? Are you looking for ways to improve the safety of your facility? If so, read on!

Improve the accuracy of patient identification

Patient identification is a critical part of the process. If you are unsure of a patient’s identity, ask them to confirm what they say with a photo ID or other form of documentation.

If you need more information on patient identification, check out our [page](https://www.nhsltd-hospital-management-systems) for additional information about how we use this data within our organization and how it can help improve patient safety at all levels.

Improve staff communications

• Use a clear, consistent communication style.

• Use the same words to describe the same things.

• Use the same terms and phrases in all written materials.

• Make sure that all staff understand the language used in all communications.

Improve hand-off communications

Hand-offs are a major source of medical errors, and they need to be done in person. Your patient’s name, age, gender, location and chief complaint should be included in the hand-off.

For example: “It’s time for me to go home now but I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

Identify patients at risk for suicide

The goals also include:

• Identify patients at risk for suicide.

• Provide appropriate care to patients at risk for suicide.

• Follow up with patients at risk for suicide and report to a higher level of care when necessary, including contacting your supervisor or human resources department if you feel uncomfortable contacting someone else directly (e.g., because the person who needs help may be suicidal).

Improve staff communication about tests and test results

Communication is important in the patient safety process. The doctor must communicate test results to the patient and other doctors, but also to other nurses and staff.

As you can see, there are many ways that you can improve communication between staff members at your hospital or clinic. When employees understand each other’s roles and responsibilities, they will work together more effectively.

Improve communication with patients who have hearing loss

When communicating with patients who have hearing loss, use a visual aid.

Use clear and simple language.

Speak clearly and slowly so that everyone can understand you.

Use gestures to reinforce the message when necessary.

Avoid background noise; it can make it difficult for people with hearing loss to hear your message clearly.

Use visual aids such as handouts or posters if possible because they are easier for people with low vision (even those wearing glasses) to read than printed words on paper alone

Reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a major cause of patient harm and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that every year CAUTIs lead to more than 2 million days of hospitalization, 1 million days in nursing homes, 53,000 deaths worldwide and $1 billion in costs.

To reduce the risk of CAUTIs:

• Be sure you are using proper catheter care techniques. This includes washing hands before inserting or removing your catheter; changing gloves between patients; wearing protective gowns when showering; cleaning up after yourself; avoiding contact with other people’s urine during dialysis treatments (you should be able to tell if someone has been sitting on their sofa with their legs spread apart); not sharing flasks while they’re being used by another person without washing them first so bacteria from one person can get onto another’s equipment (this includes single-use containers as well).

Reduce falls and injuries from falls

Falls are a serious problem in hospitals, and it’s important that hospital staff be trained to identify signs of falls. Many falls result from lack of communication between patients and caregivers. To prevent these types of injuries, you can help your patients by encouraging them to ask questions about their condition, or by making sure they know where their friends or family members are located if they need help getting around the hospital facility (e.g., on another floor).

You might also consider implementing fall prevention measures throughout your health care facility:

To prevent falls during long distance transfers between rooms or wings within a single building;

To strengthen walkways between floors;

To install grab bars along stairwells;

To make sure there are no holes in doorways leading outside onto balconies/patios where people spend time while waiting for loved ones who have been admitted into intensive care units

Hospitals have many areas in which they can improve their safety practices.

Hospitals have many areas in which they can improve their safety practices. The most important thing to remember is that hospitals are a high-risk environment, and every patient is given medication by staff members who are not trained medical professionals. This means that if a mistake were made at any time during the procedure, it could have serious consequences for someone’s health or life.

To make sure that this doesn’t happen, there are several things you can do:

• Ensure all medications are properly labeled with patient name and dosage information

• Ensure all equipment used during procedures (such as needles) has been cleaned thoroughly between uses

Conclusion

We hope that you have learned a lot about what hospitals are doing to improve their safety practices. We believe this is an important topic for all of us, especially as healthcare becomes more complicated and expensive. But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate the good work being done by our hospitals!