Patient Safety

Patient safety is regarded as a key component for risk management in today’s healthcare system. Not only is safety for patients seen as a national priority, but the statistics involving incidents of death has risen sharply from 44,000 to above 98,000 according to the Institute of Medicine 1999 published report. Statistics like these are alarming and are a clear warning that reform is necessary to reduce this number while simultaneously maintaining a high degree of effective healthcare.

Patients themselves can help to lower this number in a variety of simple ways. While regulatory agencies in the health industry are enacting new reforms to overhaul the health care system, individuals can insure they remain safe in hospitals by increasing their awareness to known factors which contribute to accidents, injury or death. Many don’t realize that a lot of avoidable incidents occur in hospitals because patients do not display wristbands with the correct patient information on them. Something such as the misspelling of a name or any identifiable data can lead to disturbing safety mishaps. This is what managing healthcare risks are all about. It is always good to check the labels on your wristbands for accurate information right down to every detail. If any part is not correct, remove it immediately and inform the nurse.

What Is Risk Management In Healthcare?

It is the business of keeping patients safe while in hospitals in all phases of treatment. This implies keeping all equipment operational and calibrated, insuring that doctors and ancillary medical staff are following procedures and protocols and maintaining an environment that is institutionally safe. While this is a broad definition, the process for enforcing healthcare compliance is a job that involves many organizations and associations – all cross checking each other.

Health and safety training in hospitals a key factor to controlling the levels of risks connected to healthcare risk management and is also an integral part of the program initiatives that have been launched in 2010 – 2011 to reform the healthcare industry. In most hospitals this training is mandatory and each staff member is required to complete it with a passing score. While a lot of the training deals with promoting a safe hospital environment, there are also ongoing core training requirements that staff members must complete each year to maintain their certifications.

National Patient Safety Goals 2011

The National Patient Safety Association (NPSA) has a big part to play in overseeing strict compliance to every improving policies and standards and provide a lot of oversight in assisting hospitals with matters of environmental risk management. They play a role in assessing the levels and dangers of risk, insuring the operational privacy electronic health records, analyzing patient safety indicators for hospitals and clinics, assisting in the training of communication policy and insurance that new policies and program directives are properly deployed.

How Patients Can Minimize Risk Exposure

As a person who is keen on their environment, you can do a few things to stay safe in hospitals by becoming an advocate for your own safety.

Below I have listed a few things to keep in mind when you are under the care of a physician in a medical facility.

• Never be afraid to ask questions about your health condition and treatment. This means you should be inquisitive about every phase of your care. If you have problems speaking to a physician bring a relative or friend along that could ask and understand the answers.
• Insist on getting a copy of all examination tests results and review the results of all screening activities conducted on you. When a doctor runs a test seek to get the results as quickly as possible. You don’t have to wait until they arrive or until they call you in. Stay in constant touch with your doctor until you get briefed.
• Keep a current list of all prescription drugs that you are taking. Make sure your doctor has a copy of this list and if it changes, give your doctor the updated copy. You should also inform your pharmacist too. When you are prescribed new medication, ask your doctor if there are any known side-effects or complications linked to its use. In like manner inform your doctor and pharmacist of any allergies that you may have before taking the medication and report anything that looks or feels out of the ordinary.

Patient Safety During Surgery

If your doctor prescribes surgery, make sure you have a thorough understanding of exactly what will be done. No guessing. This includes the application of anesthesia, surgical procedures, recovery process and post operative care. If you have allergies to any medicine make sure each member of the operating team is informed and that it is documented in your medical chart.

A sound policy combined with hospital risk management and patient safety performs better when all parties are involved in embracing a high degree of observation, training and diligence. In this new discipline to foster a healthier framework for individuals and patients alike, healthcare errors can greatly be reduced contributing to less risks and malpractice claims. If you encountered a problem or have been injured while in surgery, consult with a law firm that specializes in medical malpractice. They will tell you if you have a case or not.