Lecture 9 - Patient Safety

Question 1

What are the most common types of adverse events?

Answer 1

1. Related to surgical procedures

2. Drug or fluid related events

Question 2

Define patient safety

Answer 2

That patient safety be defined as the reduction and mitigation of unsafe acts within the health-care system, as well as through the use of best practices shown to lead to optimal patient outcomes

Question 3

Describe patient safety systems

Answer 3

These systems are designed so that mistakes can happen but not cause problems (many people involved before the mistake makes it to the patient)

Question 4

Define medication error

Answer 4

That medication error be defined as the failure to complete a planned action as it was intended, or when an incorrect plan is used, at any point in the process of providing medications to patients

Question 5

Define adverse event

Answer 5

An unexpected and undesired incident directly associated with the care or services provided to the patient
An incident that occurs during the process of providing health care and results in patient injury or death.
An adverse outcome for a patient, including an injury or complication

Question 6

Name a major cause of errors that cause harm to patients

Answer 6

70% of errors associated with patient harm involve abbreviations (U, drug name, stem, mcg)