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

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

Goal 2 Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers. Receiver writes down, 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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

For questions, contact: Mike Allison, RT-R, BS, MBA Clinical Safety Coordinator, Quality Management