The ABCs of Patient Safety

1. The ABCs of Patient Safety • Abbreviations must not include those which are unsafe, e.g., u, IU, Q.D., Q.O.D., Trailing zero, Lack of a Leading zero, MS, MSO4, MgSO4, g, H.S., T.I.W. • Blame hides the truth about errors. • Confidentiality is a MUST and non-chart documents with patient identification must be destroyed appropriately, including handwritten notes. • Document the facts and only the facts. • Error is our chance to see weakness and fix it. • Focus on preventing falls. • Guarantee a patient’s readiness for surgery with a completed PRE-OP CHECKLIST. • Handwashing must be done for 15 seconds or with alcohol rubs upon starting work, between patients, before preparing meds, before and after any procedure, before and after gloving. • IV Pumps should not free flow. • Just remember: take care of your patients as you would want to be cared for. • Knowledge must be shared. • Look-alike/Sound-alike drugs are kept separate and are differentiated by TALL MAN/short man lettering. • MDs mark the surgical site with a “yes” or initials. • No concentrated electrolytes should be found on a nursing unit. • Opportunities for solutions are lost by blame. • Preventative maintenance and testing should be routinely done on equipment and alarm systems. • Quickly address any safety issues. • Reconcile medications on admission, transfers to another unit, level of care, department, physician, or discharge. • Sentinel Events should be recognized and reported immediately. • Take a Time Out before ANY invasive procedure. • Use two Patient Identifiers whenever giving meds, performing procedures, administering blood, taking blood or other specimens. • Value the patient’s perspective. • Write down and read back ALL verbal orders and critical test results. • X-ray vision sees the deeper story. • YOU ARE A PATIENT SAFETY OFFICER! YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! • Zeroing in on errors brings us closer to zero errors.