Ensuring patient safety is a cornerstone of high-quality healthcare. The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) aim to improve patient safety by addressing critical harm areas. These goals provide a framework for hospitals to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring that patients receive the safest care possible.
Furthermore, this training course is specifically designed to help healthcare professionals understand and implement the latest NPSGs. Participants will learn key safety goals, including patient identification, caregiver communication, medication safety, and infection prevention. This course equips hospital staff to enhance safety protocols, reduce errors, and improve patient outcomes. This training keeps you at the forefront of patient safety and ensures the highest care standards in your hospital.
What You’ll Learn
- Improving the accuracy of patient identification
- Improving the effectiveness of communication among caregivers
- Improving the safety of using medications
- Reducing the likelihood of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulant therapy
- Maintaining and communicating accurate patient information
- Reducing patient harm associated with clinical alarm systems
ACCME Accreditation
American Medical Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education to physicians. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of healthcare providers to improve patient care outcomes. Through high-quality educational activities, we aim to address the identified educational gaps and to support the continuous professional development of our medical community. American Medical Compliance designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim this credit for their complete participation in this activity.
Details
Course length: 1 hour.
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment
Get Certified
American Medical Compliance (AMC) is a leader in the industry for compliance, Billing, and HR solutions. To become certified, please visit us at American Medical Compliance (AMC).
Explore our other courses by visiting the AMC Course Library.
Ensuring Accurate Patient Identification
Accurate patient identification is a fundamental aspect of patient safety and a critical component of the National Patient Safety Goals. Additionally, to minimize the risk of errors and ensure that each patient receives the correct care, treatment, and services, healthcare providers must use at least two patient identifiers. Here’s why this practice is essential:
Preventing Medical Errors
Also, using two patient identifiers helps prevent medical errors, such as administering the wrong medication, performing the wrong procedure, or discharging the wrong patient. Common identifiers include the patient’s name, date of birth, and medical record number. Clear and consistent use of patient identifiers improve communication among healthcare providers.
Ensuring Consistency
Implementing this practice across all departments and services within the hospital ensures consistency in patient care. In addition, whether in the emergency room, operating room, or outpatient clinic, the use of two patient identifiers should be a standard protocol. However, adhering to this safety goal is not only a best practice but also a regulatory requirement.
Building Trust
On the other hand, when patients see that their healthcare providers are diligent about verifying their identity, it builds trust and confidence in the care they receive. It reassures patients that their safety is a top priority. Conversely, by consistently using at least two patient identifiers, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of errors and enhance the overall safety and quality of patient care. This practice is a simple yet powerful tool in the ongoing effort to improve patient safety in hospitals.
Timely Reporting of Critical Test Results and Diagnostic Procedures
Ensuring the timely reporting of critical test results and diagnostic procedures is a fundamental component of patient safety. Delays in communicating these results can lead to significant adverse outcomes, including the deterioration of the patient’s condition, unnecessary treatments, and even fatalities. The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals emphasize the importance of this practice to enhance the quality of care and patient outcomes.
Importance of Timely Reporting
Critical tests results and diagnostic findings often require immediate medical intervention. Nevertheless, when healthcare providers receive this information promptly, they can make informed decisions about patient care, initiate necessary treatments, and potentially save lives. Yet, timely reporting also helps in preventing the escalation of medical conditions and reduces the risks of complications.
Ensuring Proper Labelling of Medications and Solutions in Procedural Settings
Labeling all medications, medication containers, and other solutions on and off the sterile field in perioperative and other procedural settings is a critical aspect of patient safety. Proper labeling helps prevent medication errors, ensures accurate communication among healthcare team members, and promotes a safer surgical environment.
