National Patient Safety Goals 2008 T he University of Toledo Medical Center Toledo, Ohio

1. National Patient Safety Goals2008The University of Toledo Medical CenterToledo, Ohio

2. Goal 1 Improve the accuracy of patient identification. • Use at least 2 patient identifiers • Administering medications or blood products • Collecting blood or other specimens • Providing treatments or procedures • Patient’s room # is not used as an identifier • Blood or specimens are labeled in front of the patient • Conduct a final verification process • “Timeout”, correct patient, correct procedure, correct site with patient involvement

3. Goal 2 Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers. • Receiver writesdown, reads back and receives confirmation of accuracy. • Standardize a list of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols NOT to be used • Measure the timeliness of critical test results reported to responsible caregivers • Collect data on the timeliness of critical tests and results • Standardize an approach to communication “handoffs” with an opportunity to ask and answer questions

4. Goal 3 Improve the safety of using medications. • Identify look alike / sound alike drugs • Standardize and limit drug concentrations • Label medications on and off the sterile field • Reduce the likelihood of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulation therapy.

5. Goal 7 Reduce the risk of health care-associated infections. • Comply with CDC or WHO hand hygiene guidelines • Identify cases of unanticipated death or permanent loss of function related to healthcare associated infection

6. Goal 8 - Accurately & completely reconcile medications across continuum of care. • Implement a process for obtaining and documenting a complete list of the patient’s current medications • A complete list of the patient’s medications is communicated to the next healthcare provider • A complete list of medications is provided to the patient on discharge from the facility

7. Goal 9 Reduce the risk of patient harm resulting from falls. • Implement a fall reduction program and evaluate its effectiveness • Nursing Assessment • Pharmacy reviews medication • Toileting Advance Need – TAN Program • Patient Walkers • Bed Alarms

8. Goal 13 - Encourage patients’ active involvement in their own care as a patient safety strategy. • Define and communicate the means for patients and their families to report concerns about safety and encourage them to do so

9. Goal 15 - The organization identifies safety risks inherent in its patient population. • The organization identifies patients at risk for suicide • Primary diagnosis is an emotional or behavioral disorder • Drug or alcohol issues

10. Goal 16 - Improve recognition and response to changes in a patient’s condition. • The organization selects a suitable method that enables health care staff members to directly request additional assistance from a specially trained individual(s) when the patient’s condition appears to be worsening.

11. For questions, contact: • Mike Allison, RT-R, BS, MBA • Clinical Safety Coordinator, Quality Management • mike.allison@utoledo.edu • 419.383.6856