Module 7 Safety
Safety in Healthcare
Learning Objectives
Identify person-centered aspects of safety and security.
Recognize patients at risk for injury.
Describe health-teaching interventions to promote safety for adults and older adults.
Explain strategies to reduce injury risks in the hospital.
Discuss systems-based aspects of safety and security related to healthcare settings.
Evaluate the effectiveness of safety interventions.
Importance of Safety in Nursing
Safety is defined as freedom from danger, harm, or risk, and is fundamental to nursing care.
Nursing responsibilities focus on:
Promotion & Prevention:
Patient-specific measures.
Institution-wide policies.
State & federal measures.
Critical Thinking Question:
Are medical errors more often due to systems problems or human errors?
National Safety Guidelines
National Patient Safety Goals (Joint Commission)
Previously known as JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations).
Standard Precautions (CDC Guidelines)
Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Competencies
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
Attributes of a Positive Safety Culture
Acknowledgment of healthcare's high-risk nature and commitment to safe operations:
Foster a blame-free environment for safety reporting.
Promote teamwork and collaboration for safety solutions.
Adopt a systems-based perspective to allocate resources for safety issues.
Nurses' Risks in Patient Safety
Factors that affect patient safety:
Toxic chemicals and vapors.
Needle sticks and sharp injuries.
Drug exposures and radiation.
Infectious diseases and workplace violence.
Considerations:
Developmental and occupational factors.
Social behavior and sensory perception.
Assess client communication abilities and health status.
Safety Concerns in Healthcare Settings
General Concerns
Restraints:
Definition: Physical or chemical means to limit patient movement, used as a last resort.
Alternatives to restraints.
Falls:
Identify at-risk individuals and interventions to prevent falls.
Fire Safety (RACE):
Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
Alarm management:
Concerns regarding alarm fatigue.
Equipment and Procedure-Related Accidents
Strategies to reduce equipment-related accidents:
Check patient identification and avoid medication errors.
Fall Statistics and Prevention
Injury Statistics:
Leading cause of injury-related deaths in older Americans.
50% of nursing facility residents fall annually (average 2.6 falls per resident).
1 million hospital falls yearly.
Cost associated with non-fatal fall injuries: $50 billion.
Keys to Fall Prevention:
Patient education and environmental assessment.
Implement safety measures like bed alarms and risk assessments.
Emergency Codes in Healthcare
Understanding Emergency Codes:
Code Red (Fire/Smoke) - Call 911.
Code Blue (Adult Medical Emergency) - CPR Team response.
Other emergency codes (Pink, Purple, Gray, etc.) for various situations (e.g., abductions, bomb threats).
2025 National Patient Safety Goals by Joint Commission
Patient Identification:
Use at least two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth).
Improve Staff Communication:
Timely sharing of test results.
Medication Safety:
Labeling unlabeled medications and ensuring proper medication reconciliation.
Infection Prevention:
Adhere to CDC handwashing guidelines.
Patient Safety Risks:
Identifying and managing suicide risks.
Safety Event Reporting
Reportable Events
Pressure injuries
Surgical and equipment errors
Delays in care and missing property
Communication errors
Types of Safety Incidents
Near Miss: Potential error avoided.
Patient Safety Event: Unexpected events without injury.
Sentinel Event: Critical events leading to severe harm.
Barriers to Reporting Safety Events
Fear of repercussions or backlash.
Lack of time and unclear facility policies.
Insufficient training and bullying behaviors.
Favoritism and influence within teams.