Regional accreditation

Introduction Medical errors and unexpected side effects occur relatively often in the hospital setting, where in 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported that medical errors resulted in roughly 98,000 deaths per year, becoming the eighth leading cause of death for patients (Phillips-Bute, 2012). While this number is very alarming, the amount of public concern toward medical errors are nearly nonexistent, resulting in patients having little understanding of their rights when their health…

Medical Errors Despite our greatest efforts to prevent medical errors, errors continue to occur. The most serious of these errors result in death, permanent injury or non-permanent harm that is at a severity level which requires an intervention in order to sustain the individuals life (Joint Commission, 2014, p. 1). Events of this severity are referred to as “sentinel events” since they signal the necessity for instant investigation and response (Joint Commission, 2014, p. 1). Among the…

The patient fall and injury prevention continues to be a challenge for the healthcare field today. It is the one of the major safety issues in the healthcare facilities. The Joint Commission (2011) requires reducing the risk of patient harm resulting from falls as one of the National Patient Safety Goals (Joint Commission, 2011). The call bell is one of the most important and essential features, which is also often used to create frustration to the hospital staff (health leaders, 2007).…

Children’s of Alabama has medication precautions, fall risk precautions, and a “Do Not Use” list in place to protect patients. SBAR is used to effectively communicate patient and nursing needs to physicians. Pharmacy and the nursing staff verify medications before the medication is ever administrated to patients, to reduce errors. Call-lights are in place for patients to alert employees to wants and needs. Nursing Informatics help implement and educate employees on electronic charting.…

How to Prevent Medication Errors There are several ways to avoid medication errors in the healthcare setting. Common mistakes made when giving out medications include disorganization, miscommunication among hospital staff and careless errors. In the following paragraphs I will explain in detail how to avoid medication errors and the importance of excellent communication and interpersonal skills among nurses and patients. I will also clarify the reasons for common mistakes made in the hospital…

National Patient Safety Goals: Help Avoid Mistakes with your Medicines Many people assume the role of their medication responsibility to their health care providers, while it is a combined duty of the patient as well (The Joint Commission,2016). In avoiding medication errors in healthcare The Joint Commission has created guidelines to further educate the importance of understanding one’s medications. Patients are given understanding on how to avoid mistakes while in the hospital, at the…

Workflow Design: Clinical Scenario The purpose of this paper is to explore a clinical scenario, answer pertinent questions, and list out the correct steps for administering an oral medication according to the “five rights” of the medication administration process (Edwards & Axe, 2015; Hunter, 2011). In addition, a workflow diagram was created to demonstrate the process from start to end. Scenario Analysis As healthcare providers, nurses are trained to follow the “five rights” of the…

As Heath Officer of the Shiawassee County Health Department, I am interested in getting our health care organization nationally credited. There is Seven Steps to the Public Health Department Accreditation process. In addition, there are many benefits to becoming nationally credited. The benefits are: measurement of performance, standardization, advancing quality and performance, improving service, values, and accountability to stakeholders. These crucial areas will be improved if Shiawassee…

the hospital’s elements of performance (EPs) scores that determine if a standard is in compliance: 0 = insufficient compliance, 1 = partial compliance, and 2 = satisfactory compliance (Facts about Scoring and Accreditation Decisions, 2015, para. 2). In Facts about Scoring and Accreditation Decisions (2015, para. 3), if the hospital receives any partially compliant or insufficiently compliant EPs, they must be addressed via the Evidence of Standards Compliance (ESC) submission process within 45…

increase both patient and family satisfaction. • Has the guideline been subjected to peer review and testing? The guideline has been subjected to peer review to show the guidelines validation. • Is the intent of use provided (e.g., national, regional, local)? This was not specifically stated on the guideline. The article did talk about the purpose of this guideline was to attempt to meet the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals to improve staff communication, which would be…