Patient Safety Monitor

Briefings on Patient Safety answers your most important patient safety questions and offers field-tested compliance strategies to ensure your patient safety efforts measure up to The Joint Commission.

• Consider human factors engineering when designing your patient safety projects

  When Barbara Wilson, PhD, RNC, begins any new patient safety project, she first examines the principles of human factors engineering (HFE).

  Wilson, assistant professor at Arizona State University’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Center for Improving Health Outcomes in Children, Teens, & Families, says that to ensure her staff members’ success, it’s imperative to examine how current processes may fail.

• Suicide risk assessment important part of survey and patient safety

  Identifying patients at risk for suicide has been a requirement of the National Patient Safety Goals since 2007. Since that time, inpatient suicide remains the second most frequently reported sentinel event to The Joint Commission, after wrong-site surgery.

• Colorado hospital evaluates ?missed opportunities? in rapid response teams

  Over the past five years, rapid response teams (RRT) have been brought to the forefront of American hospitals. In 2004, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) launched its 100,000 Lives Campaign of which RRTs were a focal point, and in 2008, The Joint Commission added a National Patient Safety Goal requiring hospitals to have a process to recognize and respond to patients who are deteriorating. Those requirements are now located in standards PC.02.01.19, HR.01.05.03, and PI.01.01.01.

• Innovation and design thinking as a tool

  Innovation and design thinking is a fascinating methodology that holds much promise for healthcare. Although other industries, such as manufacturing and telecommunications, have harnessed the power that design thinking can hold, healthcare is just beginning to truly embrace and apply some of the innovation maxims.

• Certification defines qualified medical interpreters, keeps patients safe

  One of the most vital parts of providing adequate healthcare is the exchange of information between patient and caregiver. Without clear communication, it can be difficult, and even dangerous, to treat a patient. For patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP), as well as providers, the presence of a medical interpreter can allay fears about care. Most importantly, using a qualified medical interpreter to assist with communication keeps patients safe.

Weekly Alerts

This e-mail newsletter provides surveillance on patient safety-related standards and regulations, as well the latest breaking patient safety news.

• Latest issue of Briefings on Patient Safety available through Patient Safety Monitor
• From the Patient Safety Monitor Blog: Announcing a new Blog contest!
• Study: Trained interpreters improve communication between patients and providers

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Patient Safety Monitor Blog

The Patient Safety Monitor Blog provides readers with an online forum for all things patient safety. Get up-to-date news, network with your peers about best practices, and share your opinions.

• MITSS accepting nominations for the Hope Award
• AHRQ Study: Patients less likely to receive necessary care on weekends
• OIG report identifes best ways to find adverse events

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Tools Library

The Patient Safety Monitor Tools Library is a comprehensive collection of sample forms and policies. Search through our downloadable and customizable templates to find what you need, when you need it.

• Patient Identification, Model Policy
• Assessment of patient safety progress
• Proactive Environment of Care Suicide Risk Assessment
• Reassessment Note