Quality and Patient Safety

Abstract

Patient safety has been conceptualized as the avoidance, prevention and amelioration of adverse outcomes or injuries stemming from structure & processes. Safety issues in medication, infection control surgery & anesthesia, transfusion, restraints, staffing & competencies, credentialing and privileging , clinical governance, fire and non-fire safety, medical equipment, emergency management and security, etc. need to be addressed. The IOM (1999) pointed out the systemic problems such as poor communication, lack of knowledge in using information technology, failure of all health professionals to work together, etc. in healthcare lead to poor outcomes. The report suggested ways to reinvent the health system through six aims for care: safety, timeliness, efficiency, effectiveness, equity and patient-centered. Better documentation, communication and process improvement would improve the Doctor- Patient relationship.

Accreditation has systematized and brought changes upon healthcare approach in developing a Safety Mindset. The accreditation process promotes risk management and patient safety by establishing operational systems and processes designed to minimize likelihood of errors and maximize likelihood of intercepting errors when occur or before they occur. Reduction in variation in administrative and clinical processes leading to better quality care and better outcome. Accreditation in itself is not a goal; the goal is to improve the quality of services by imbedding patient safety processes into healthcare. Best practices, frugal innovations and use of technology can make healthcare cost-effective.