Patient Safety In Healthcare? Don’t we tend to ignore it many times? Ignorance in patient safety can have dire consequences!! Read on…
Patient Safety-Making Healthcare Safer
Hospital is a place where sick people come in the hope of getting proper care and treatment. But, sometimes healthcare setups can in turn pose a threat when certain precautions are not taken. To create awareness of this, every year 9th of December is dedicated to ‘ World patient safety Day’.
What is Patient Safety?
Patient safety is the absence of preventable harm to the patient during any health care process. Also, it emphasizes on reduction of unnecessary risks associated with health care to minimal levels.
Why is it a Concern?
Is patient safety a matter of huge concern? Many of us might have this question. The answer is YES! The stats speak out loud and clear:
- Around 1 in 10 patients are harmed while receiving health care.
- Errors in medication cost an estimated 42 00 crore annually
- Approximately 4 .3 crore incidences related to patient safety occurs every year
What are the Probable Patient Safety Issues?
- Diagnostic errors ( wrong or delayed diagnosis)
- Infections obtained during the health care
- Medication errors
- Re- admissions (patient returns to the hospital in less than 30 days of discharge)
- Surgery at the wrong site
- Lack of communication (improper communication between patient and doctor)
Safety is a choice you make!
Here are a few tips for the patients to ensure their safety.
- Assist the hospital staff to ensure that your personal data (patient history) is accurate.
- Ask questions or doubts that you have about the diagnosis.
- Seek a second opinion on a medical condition in case of any doubt.
- Ask the doctor about the pros and cons of any medical procedure that is suggested.
Universal Precautions
Here are a few things that need to be taken care of to ensure the safety of the patient as well others surrounding the patient.
- Hand Hygiene– Wash and sanitize hands frequently while handling a patient
- Gloves– Wearing gloves while coming in contact with a patient
- Facial protection– Use of surgical mask or face shield while interacting with a patient
- Needles– Proper Disposal of used needles and sharps
- Patient care equipment– Disinfection of reusable equipment before every use
- Disposal of wastes– Proper disposal of biomedical wastes
- Etiquettes– cover nose/ mouth while sneezing or coughing Safety comes first! And thus, should be placed before anything else while handling any patient!
