Standards of Excellence: Safety
Communication is key in providing safe care.
Communication must be planned to assure appropriate information is shared
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Safety Huddles with leadership and in departments
For example: During safety huddle it is announced that we have two patients with almost identical names scheduled for surgery and admission. Staff are aware to be extra alert, patients are cared for in different units with different care givers to minimize confusion. - Leadership huddles each morning to share pertinent safety information that may affect the patients or staff
- Departments huddle to share safety concerns related to their unit
- A post fall huddle is conducted after each fall to determine any new prevention strategies
Share safety stories and messages.
We can learn from each other and assist our co-workers in providing safe care.
Share safety stories and messages with directors and manager, as well as within your department or with other departments
- Stories are a good way to deliver a safety message. A story helps others apply knowledge. For example: Pat shared with staff the importance of always following the procedure of keeping your hand on a child at all times while changing a diaper. She turned to the side and took her hand off of her grandchild's body while changing a diaper and her granddaughter fell onto the floor. It only takes a second of not following a procedure and things can happen.
Asking others about safety concerns and taking action will improve safety
- Executive Leaders round on Departments to ask questions about safety concerns.
- Department Leaders round on patients and staff to learn about any safety concerns. For example: While rounding a Leader learns from a staff member that a work around is needed in order to secure medication for a patient. The Leader then gets the correct group together to improve the process.
Responding appropriately to errors encourages a culture of safety.
CCH uses a decision management guide to determine appropriate response to errors.
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For example:
Most errors occur due to a system problem. In that case processes and training need to be addressed. Each error must be looked at from this prospective and discipline should be used only when appropriate.
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