Nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals have been put on high alert recently, this being occasioned by an upsurge of healthcare-associated infections. The fact that people get infected in hospitals while they are being treated has caused alarm among healthcare givers and now concerted efforts are being aimed at enhancing patient safety. This is seen as a major step towards controlling healthcare-associated infections.
According to statistics from Department of health, the situation is not good at all. The stats state that one out of ten patients admitted to a health facility is likely to contract HAI. This person also stays three times longer in the hospital than an ordinary patient. What it means is that they get to pay more money for their healthcare. Also, staying in hospital longer stops them from attending to their daily chores.
It is for this reason that the concept of safety for patients has gained popularity. As a result, medical facilities have been pressured to provide environments that protect their patients from HAI. Therefore, major health institutions have embarked on deliberate efforts to curb the situation that is threatening to be rampant.
Experts have said that an effective way of controlling the HAI is to keep venous Thromboembolism in check. Simply known as VTE, this refers to a condition blood clots tend to form inside veins of patients. The condition, though known to cause discomfort, is not associated with any serious consequences. However, it can be dangerous if not handled correctly, and is touted as being among the main causes of preventable deaths at hospital grounds.
By way of timelines and goals, some institutions have been able to effectively deal with the problem. These goals ensure that medical practitioners are able to stay focused in minimizing cases of HAI. It starts by identification of a general goal, which is broad enough to institute a change of design. The goals will have better effects if instituted early.
Another method is through educating patients about how to use blood thinners safely. Normally, if patients have had surgeries, they are given new prescriptions for blood thinner. This can help them avoid contracting hazardous blood clots. The problem comes when the patients cannot correctly use these blood thinners. In such a case, they are likely to cause uncontrollable bleeding. This is among the leading causes of drug event.
However, if patients are properly educated, this can be prevented. Teaching of patients is done by a 10-minute video demo, plus a booklet which contains crucial information. These put the patient in a better position to understand whatever to expect from the drugs.
Lastly, medical staffs need to have their shifts shortened. Research suggests that a staff who is fatigued has a higher tendency of making mistakes. It is important to ensure that medical staffs are well rested and that they adhere strictly to eighty-hour work week limits. If residents are having 30-hour shifts, they need only treat patients for 16 hours. Additionally, they should have 5-hour sleep time. If these measures are followed, patient safety will be greatly enhanced.
According to statistics from Department of health, the situation is not good at all. The stats state that one out of ten patients admitted to a health facility is likely to contract HAI. This person also stays three times longer in the hospital than an ordinary patient. What it means is that they get to pay more money for their healthcare. Also, staying in hospital longer stops them from attending to their daily chores.
It is for this reason that the concept of safety for patients has gained popularity. As a result, medical facilities have been pressured to provide environments that protect their patients from HAI. Therefore, major health institutions have embarked on deliberate efforts to curb the situation that is threatening to be rampant.
Experts have said that an effective way of controlling the HAI is to keep venous Thromboembolism in check. Simply known as VTE, this refers to a condition blood clots tend to form inside veins of patients. The condition, though known to cause discomfort, is not associated with any serious consequences. However, it can be dangerous if not handled correctly, and is touted as being among the main causes of preventable deaths at hospital grounds.
By way of timelines and goals, some institutions have been able to effectively deal with the problem. These goals ensure that medical practitioners are able to stay focused in minimizing cases of HAI. It starts by identification of a general goal, which is broad enough to institute a change of design. The goals will have better effects if instituted early.
Another method is through educating patients about how to use blood thinners safely. Normally, if patients have had surgeries, they are given new prescriptions for blood thinner. This can help them avoid contracting hazardous blood clots. The problem comes when the patients cannot correctly use these blood thinners. In such a case, they are likely to cause uncontrollable bleeding. This is among the leading causes of drug event.
However, if patients are properly educated, this can be prevented. Teaching of patients is done by a 10-minute video demo, plus a booklet which contains crucial information. These put the patient in a better position to understand whatever to expect from the drugs.
Lastly, medical staffs need to have their shifts shortened. Research suggests that a staff who is fatigued has a higher tendency of making mistakes. It is important to ensure that medical staffs are well rested and that they adhere strictly to eighty-hour work week limits. If residents are having 30-hour shifts, they need only treat patients for 16 hours. Additionally, they should have 5-hour sleep time. If these measures are followed, patient safety will be greatly enhanced.
About the Author:
The importance of insuring patient safety is discussed at the website www.tmichaelwhitemd.com right here. You can learn more details on the topic at http://www.tmichaelwhitemd.com now.
0 comments:
Post a Comment