NR 103 Week 6 RUA - RUA paper for 2023

Safety in Healthcare

Chamberlain University College of Nursing NR103: Transition to Nursing Concepts Professor Hess October, 2023

Safety in Healthcare

Safety is crucial in the realm of healthcare. The safety of professionals, patients, and patients' families is vital to a healthy and happy society. This means preventing errors, reducing harm, and improving outcomes. Safety is a vast concept, especially in healthcare, with thousands of people involved daily. This can bring forth questions about what safety is, what safety protocols are utilized for, and how that affects the culture of patient care.

Safety is a broad concept. It is about minimizing risks and preventing harm. The definition of safety is “the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss” (Merriam-Webster, 2019). Safety is implemented in healthcare by utilizing interventions, protocols, and professional education and training. These ensure that the environment is secure and protected from harm or danger. Safety is utilized across all parts of healthcare to ensure the well-being of employees, patients, volunteers, and every other individual within a facility.

Furthermore, the utilization of safety precautions is vast and different throughout all facilities and clinics. From experience, most facilities utilize interventions, protocols, and professional training and education. An example of an intervention could be a Physical Therapist assessing a patient for transfers, ambulating, and range of motions before administering equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, or gait belts. This specific intervention could prevent a fall that can be detrimental to the patient and cause a financial issue for the organization. A research article published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine stated, “In 2015, total medical expenditures for falls totaled $50 billion, making falls one of the most costly health conditions among people aged 65 years and older.” This quote shows the financial strain on organizations that these interventions can prevent. Meanwhile, protocols are put in place in case of natural disasters, physical threats in a facility, medication errors, and negligence. Healthcare training provides professionals with hands-on learning to better understand the information received to provide the best patient care. Professional education ensures that employees and employers are up-to-date on all medical advances and ensures current accurate practices. It can also be utilized to teach past errors and how to avoid them in the future. In an article about improving education and training for patient care, John Tingle explains that utilizing past cases is “useful,” but “when applying them in a clinical, educational training environment, it is important to stress the context.” Stressing the context helps better understand what happened, who was involved, and how to prevent it from recurring (Tingle, 2022). Safety affects all areas of healthcare, and it is crucial that it is practiced.

Moreover, many vital factors play into safety in healthcare, but communication is at the top of the list. Communication is how information spreads between medical teams and personnel. Nurses, assistants, and techs are at the front of the line for patient care. These personnel can alert higher authorities about safety concerns such as faulty equipment, medication errors, unsafe practices, and unsafe procedures (World Health Organization, 2023). Communication barriers can create a dangerous environment and ultimately affect the quality of patient care. In the article, “Safety Culture in Health Care Teams: A Narrative Review of the Literature,” the statement, “In the hierarchical health care system, lack of group culture, mutual respect and psychological safety are communication barriers and can inhibit safety culture,” shows all parts of communication that affect safety in a healthcare facility and an organization as a whole (O’Donovan et al., 2019).

Effective communication within healthcare settings is essential not only for ensuring safety but also for fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect among healthcare professionals. In environments where communication is prioritized, team members can more easily share observations and insights, leading to more accurate diagnoses and better patient outcomes. For instance, regular interdisciplinary team meetings can serve as a platform for discussing patient cases, sharing updates on safety protocols, and addressing any concerns promptly.

Technological advancements have also played a significant role in enhancing communication and safety in healthcare. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized how patient information is recorded, accessed, and shared among healthcare providers. These systems ensure that all relevant patient data is readily available to authorized personnel, reducing the risk of errors related to incomplete or inaccessible information. EHRs also facilitate better coordination of care by enabling seamless communication across different departments and specialties.

Another crucial aspect of safety in healthcare is the implementation of standardized protocols and procedures. These guidelines help ensure that all healthcare professionals are on the same page regarding best practices for patient care. For example, the use of surgical checklists has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of surgical errors and complications. These checklists provide a step-by-step guide for surgical teams, ensuring that all necessary precautions are taken before, during, and after a procedure.

In addition to checklists, other standardized protocols include hand hygiene practices, medication administration guidelines, and infection control measures. Adherence to these protocols is essential for maintaining a safe healthcare environment. Training and regular audits can help ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement. For instance, hand hygiene audits can reveal patterns of non-compliance, prompting targeted interventions to improve adherence.

Education and continuous professional development are also integral to ensuring safety in healthcare. Ongoing training helps healthcare professionals stay updated on the latest advancements in medical knowledge and technology. This is particularly important in a field that is constantly evolving. For instance, new treatments and medications are continually being developed, and healthcare providers need to be knowledgeable about these innovations to provide the best care possible.

Simulation training is an effective educational tool for enhancing safety in healthcare. Simulation allows healthcare professionals to practice and refine their skills in a controlled, risk-free environment. For example, medical simulations can replicate real-life scenarios such as emergency resuscitations, allowing teams to practice their response and improve their performance. Studies have shown that simulation training can improve clinical skills, boost confidence, and enhance team coordination, all of which contribute to better patient safety.

Furthermore, a strong safety culture within healthcare organizations is essential for promoting safe practices and preventing errors. A safety culture is characterized by a commitment to safety at all levels of the organization, from frontline staff to senior management. This culture encourages open communication, continuous learning, and a non-punitive approach to error reporting. When healthcare professionals feel supported and empowered to speak up about safety concerns, it leads to a more proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential risks.

Leadership plays a critical role in fostering a safety culture. Leaders set the tone for the organization’s safety priorities and allocate resources to support safety initiatives. They also serve as role models, demonstrating a commitment to safety through their actions and decisions. By promoting a culture of safety, leaders can inspire their teams to prioritize patient safety in all aspects of their work.

Patient engagement is another important factor in promoting safety in healthcare. Patients who are actively involved in their care are more likely to understand their treatment plans, adhere to medications, and recognize potential errors. Healthcare providers can encourage patient engagement by involving patients in decision-making, providing clear and comprehensive information, and creating a welcoming environment for questions and concerns.

For example, patients should be encouraged to speak up if they notice discrepancies in their medications or if they have concerns about their treatment. Healthcare providers can facilitate this by creating an open and non-judgmental atmosphere where patients feel comfortable expressing their concerns. Additionally, providing educational materials and resources can help patients better understand their conditions and treatments, empowering them to take an active role in their care.

In conclusion, safety in healthcare is a broad concept encompassing various strategies and practices aimed at minimizing risks and preventing harm. These strategies include interventions, standardized protocols, education and training, effective communication, and fostering a safety culture. Technological advancements such as EHRs also play a significant role in enhancing safety by improving communication and coordination of care. Leadership, patient engagement, and a commitment to continuous learning are all crucial for creating a safe healthcare environment. By prioritizing safety, healthcare organizations can improve patient outcomes, reduce the incidence of errors, and foster a culture of trust and mutual respect among healthcare professionals.

References

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Safety. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety

O’Donovan, Ward, M., De Brún, A., & McAuliffe, E. (2019). Safety culture in health care teams: A narrative review of the literature. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(5), 871–883. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12740

Stevens, & Lee, R. (2018). The Potential to Reduce Falls and Avert Costs by Clinically Managing Fall Risk. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(3), 290–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.04.035

Tingle. (2022). Past cases provide basis to improve patient safety education and training. British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing), 31(15), 824–825. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2022.31.15.824

World Health Organization. (2023). Patient safety. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patient-safety#:~:text=Common%20adverse%20events%20that%20may,blood%20transfusion%20and%20venous%20thromboembolism.