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2004 National Patient Safety Goals

 

    1) Improve the Accuracy of Patient Identification

        a) Use of two (2) identifiers

            I) ex. patient’s name, patient specific identifier code

            ii) do not include patient room number as one of the identifiers

            iii) implement bar coding into arm band, chart identifiers


    2) Improve the Effectiveness of Communication Among Caregivers

        a) Perform read back of verbal orders, especially telephone orders

        b) Standardize abbreviations

    3) Improve the Safety of Using High Alert Medications

        a) Remove most concentrated solutions

        b) Standardize and limit other concentrated medications

        c) Write out dosage

            I) e.g., micrograms is easily confused with milligrams

            ii) always place a 0 in front of decimal points, 0.2 instead of .2

            iii) avoid u abbreviation for units, confused with o

            iv) avoid qd, qod, and qid due to similar in appearance

    4) Eliminate Wrong-site, Wrong patient, Wrong procedure surgery

        a) Use checklist and markers ONLY on the operative side

            I) yes identification of correct side

            ii) DO NOT place an X or NO on the non-operative side

    5) Improve the safety of using infusion pumps

        a) Ensure free flow protection

    6) Improve the effectiveness of clinical alarm systems

        a) Preventive maintenance

        b) Frequent testing

    7) Reduce healthcare system acquired infections

        a) Report

        b) Educate and train

 

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