What is safety?
Freedom from physical and psychological injury.
Define: sentinel event
An unexpected occurrence involving death, serious physical or psychological injury, or risk thereof.
Why are patients more vulnerable to injury?
Thought processes and coping mechanisms are affected by illness and its accompanying emotions.
What causes most untoward events?
Failures in communication
When must health care providers be most attentive toward a patient’s diversity? Why?
During the assessment. A nurse must use an approach that recognizes a patient’s cultural background so appropriate questions can be raised to clearly reveal health behaviors and risks.
Where does a patient’s safety begin?
In their immediate environment.
Who is responsible for making the patient’s bedside areas safe?
The nurse.
What must always be checked on a bed?
Structural risks
What are two strategies for patient safety?
Encouraging patients to be active participants in their care and improving communication between caregivers and patients.
What is a “culture of safety”?
A safety concern can be voiced by anyone without fear.
Why is patient identification a crucial key to safety?
The identification process is followed so patients get the right medications and treatments at the right times and do not suffer from injury associated with health care interventions.
What interventions are used to decrease risk of a fall in an acute setting?
The use of a fall risk assessment tool, assessment and collaboration for the adjustment of medications, changes in the environment, staff education, use of alarm devices, and interventions for disorders contributing to the risk.
What interventions are used to decrease risk of a fall in the community setting?
Home-based exercise, environmental adaptations, and community-based tai chi delivered in a group format are effective in reducing the risk for falls.
What are the 7 National Patient Safety Goals for Hospitals?
List 8 bedside items that help reduces risk to a patient:
What is the most common cause of nonfatal injury in adults over the age of 65 in the United States?
Patient falls.
When do fall preventions programs work best?
Within the context of strong organizational support and broad interdisciplinary cooperation.
What does the acronym SPLATT stand for?
Symptoms at time of fall
Previous fall
Location of fall
Activity at time of fall
Time of fall
Trauma after fall
Why should we assess a patient for elimination patterns in regards to falls?
Incontinence or urgency and the attempt to rush to a bathroom or find a urinal may predispose a patient to falls.
Why should we assess a patient for medications in regards to falls?
Certain medications may increase risk for falls and injury.
Define: HAI
Health care Associated Infections (nosocomial infections) are infections that result from delivery of health services in a health care setting and were not present on admission.
Why are health care workers required to use standard precautions to prevent exposure?
All patients are at risk for carrying an infection.
What are the 6 principles of Medical Asepsis Principles (MAP)?
What are the 9 principles of Surgical Asepsis Principles (SAP)?