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If something ever goes wrong with your health, the first thought in your mind without a doubt is to go to the hospital. It is the best place to receive treatment for any health condition. However, with that must come a high standard of healthcare. If there is neglect for patient safety, a hospital could be at risk for patient harm. That is why the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is dedicated each year to raise awareness on patient safety. And it has already started this week! From March 13th through the 19th, the IHI will help raise awareness of patient safety.
First off, what does patient safety mean exactly? It simplistic terms, patient safety is how a healthcare facility prevents errors and adverse effects that could end up harming or endangering the lives of its patients. The World Health Organization has found that there are approximately 134 million adverse events that occur each year with hospitals in low- and middle-income countries, with some 2.6 million deaths happening as a result. Additionally, about 40 percent of patients experience some sort of harm in ambulatory and primary care settings. It turns out, an estimated 80 percent of these occurrences end up being preventable. Patient Safety Awareness Week serves as a dedicated time and platform to raise awareness of these issues so that things can be done to prevent them in the future.
Preventing patient harm in a health care setting is a very important subject to talk about. Everyone interacts with the health care system at some point, so it is good to discuss how to keep patients safe from any adverse effects that may occur. One way a health care facility could be safer is to enforce strict disinfection protocols. COVID-19 has really magnified how important it is to disinfect things. The simple act of sanitizing your hands and surfaces will go a long way for preventing the spread of germs. Another way to increase a patient’s safety would be to use advanced monitoring equipment. Monitoring your patients closely will help reduce any accidents or mistakes. Bed alarms and other monitoring devices will help ensure that your patient is getting the medical attention they need.
Look, we are all human, so some medical mistakes may occur, but it is important to learn from them and find ways to prevent them in the future. Patients going into a medical facility need to know that they are safe and in good hands. Ensuring the best possible care without any risk is the best possible outcome a medical facility can offer.
For more information on Patient Safety Awareness Week, click here.
Article written by William Graves.