patient safety

Introduction

Also see cost effectiveness.

Management

• wash your hands
• use barrier precautions to prevent healthcare-associated infections
• avoid easily confused abbreviations
• assess regularly for pressure ulcers
• improve prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism
• reduce usage of urinary catheters
• guide central-line placement with real-time ultrasonography
• be methodical about preventing central line-associated infection
• adopt bundles of strategies, including head-of-bed elevations & sedation holidays, to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia
• use surgical checklists

Notes

• encouraging patients to report safety concerns in hospital is feasible, but does improve safety outcomes
• medication safety issues are the most prevalent concerns of hospitalized patients
• physician practices identified productivity pressures & work pace as safety hazards

Additional terms

• cost effectiveness; high-value care; cost-conscious care