Risk and Patient Safety

2009

Our goal: a safe environment

The primary goal of risk and patient safety is to improve the quality ofcare and safeguard the environment through the identification and

elimination of potential risks

Who Has This Responsibility?

University Hospital staff members Licensed independent practitioners

(LIPs) Students Volunteers

Quality Safety Risks Include:

- Surgical procedures - Medication administration

- Diagnostic procedures - Medical treatment- Invasive procedures - Medical research- Functional equipment or devices

Minimizing Quality Safety Risks

Appropriate and complete consent form Time-out prior to procedure Concise physician order; if in doubt, question it The 5 Rs Verification of research protocols study Correct patient identifiers Monitor patients closely after sedation Equipment/device monitoring by Biomed

routinely Tag and remove defective equipment/device

Reporting of Quality Safety Issues

Report unexpected outcomes to your direct chain of command

Nights and weekends – report to the house supervisor immediately

Complete an event report on-line

Contact risk management where appropriate Report safety concerns expressed by

patients/families

Security Risks Include:

Protection of patients

Protection of staff, LIPs, students and volunteers

Minimizing Security Risks

Know your patients’ whereabouts at all times Utilize the buddy system if patient situation warrants Be mindful of non-employee individuals who present

to your unit or department. Question who they are! Wear your University ID badge while on campus Stay in well lit areas Control access into the university hospitals’ facilities Request security escort when leaving a building

after hours

Staff have the right to: Safe, violence-free work environment Formal grievance process Non-discrimination Request to be reassigned for reasons of

personal conscience (see the supervisor)

Zero tolerance for harassment in any form

Reporting of Security Issues

Call UT Police if you can not locate your patient (ext 311)

Call the UT Police for a potential volatile or threatening situation before it escalates (ext 911)

Report suspicious activity to your direct report

Activate the appropriate safety code, if warranted

Environmental Safety Risk Includes:

Clear pathways

Floor maintenance issues

Barriers to patient access areas

Chemical spills

Minimizing Environmental Risks

Keep common walkways free of clutter and non-essentials items

Minimize cords or wires in traffic areas

Post wet-surface signs

Question free standing, non-identified liquids

Common sense is part of your critical thinking skills required to maintain a safe environment

Reporting of Environmental Safety Issues

Report hallway clutter or barriers to charge nurse or department manager

Charge nurse or department manager will contact appropriate facility department for resolution

If there is a chemical spill and you do not know the substance, or for any substance, if you need assistance, call Code Orange to X3333.

Conclusion

Each and every one of us has the responsibility to identify these factors and correct or minimize these risks….and takeownership of the issue