Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 - (Page 47)

blueprint for safety an all-access look at how hospitals are working to protect the health of their patients You’ve probably heard the cynical saying that if you want to get better, don’t go to a hospital. Well, the reality is that hospitals in the United States are extremely safe, according to 2007 reports issued by both the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and The Joint Commission, which evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 healthcare organizations and programs nationwide. “Doctors, nurses and healthcare administrators are working hard each and every day to make sure the care they provide is as safe as it possibly can be,” says Nancy Foster, vice president of quality and patient safety policy for the American Hospital Association. “They take an enormous number of steps to ensure that patients are protected from potential complications—and they’re always looking to identify opportunities for improvement.” To give you a sense of the safety measures in place to protect your health during a hospital stay, let us take you on a little tour. and Prevention stated that only 27 percent of all MRSA infections originate from hospitals, one of The Joint Commission’s ongoing objectives is to further reduce the risk of patients acquiring any secondary infection while in the hospital. According to Foster, hospitals are constantly cleaning surfaces and sterilizing equipment throughout the facility to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. As another vital precaution, healthcare professionals are instructed to wash their hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers before and after every patient interaction. by amy lynn smith illustrations by jude buffum ED etiquette Patient safety in the emergency department (ED) begins with information gathering to assess your condition and determine what care you need. When you come in, a nurse or other medical professional will ask you a variety of questions. “Most emergency department physicians won’t have a history with you, so they’re relying on you to provide detailed, descriptive information about how you’re feeling,” Foster says. And even if they’re working quickly, ED personnel strive to communicate clearly and effectively with each other, to make sure they’re giving each patient the best possible care. hospitalwide housekeeping A recent hot topic in the media has been the risk of hospital-acquired infections, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although a 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control patient-room protocols Accurately identifying hospital patients is a critical safety measure. When you’re admitted, you’ll be issued an ID bracelet; every time someone comes to draw vim & vigor · wi nter 2008 47

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 Contents Friendly Faces For Your Health 'Tis the Season to be Safe Eat Your Veggies Joint Effort Fresh Beginnings Decades of Opportunity Keeping Score Your Big Give Roll Up Your Sleeve Tidings of Comfort and Health Blueprint for Safety The Smoke-Free Mom-to-Be Childbirth Trends Moms Choosing Midwives Community Sections Dollars & Sense Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

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