What is Patient Safety and Why is it Important?
The concept of patient safety exists within the understanding of "first not harm", which was first expressed by Hippocrates and has become the general principle of medicine. However, every medical practice and intervention in healthcare services automatically brings with it some risks. Today, the concept of "patient safety", which is a more sensitive and detailed approach to reducing or controlling these risks, comes to the fore.
Although quality of care in healthcare has gained momentum in recent years, it is actually a topic with a long historical background.
Patient safety took its place in the health system after the 1960s, although the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (Joint Commission International-JCI), established in 1951, initiated studies to ensure quality and safety in health services.
Patient Safety Precautions
Seven security measures are taken to ensure patient safety.
- Correct identification of patients
- Ensuring drug safety
- Ensuring effective communication
- Preventing wrong area, wrong patient, and wrong procedure
- Ensuring the safety of treatment and care
- Ensuring the safety of the devices used
- Reducing the risk of falls
Indicator Tracking and Reporting
Some indicators are monitored continuously in patient care and intermittently after improvements are made as needed. The purpose of monitoring indicators is to ensure patient safety. The following indicators are the indicators monitored by nursing services. Indicators vary according to need in line with patient safety goals.
Mandatory Indicators Used in Patient Care
- Pressure sore indicator
- Indicator of compliance with a patient assessment plan
- Patient falls monitoring indicator