Patient Safety Checklists Save Lives

If you are a patient in the hospital, use this checklist to prevent life-threatening medical errors.

Surgical safety checklists have been shown to be very effective in reducing fatal medical errors when used by surgeons and members of the surgical team. The Harvard School of Public Health and the World Health Organization conducted a study led by Atul Gawande (The Checklist Manifesto) and it revealed that patient deaths and complications were reduced by one third.

I created a Patient Safety Checklist for patients and their advocates to use in the hospital to prevent fatal, medical errors. Imagine if patients and their family members worked together in partnership with hospital medical professionals to decrease medical errors that result in nearly a quarter of a million preventable deaths http://www.hearst.com/press-room/pr-20090809b.php [1] I believe in a collaborative effort because hospital medical staff simply cannot do it all. Physicians and nurses deal with patient overload, meaning they are often caring for too many sick patients at one time.

Martine Ehrenclou's Patient Safety Checklist

As a patient in the hospital, you will use this checklist as a safety measure with each new medical professional who administers treatment. Verbally repeat these items before you have surgery, treatments, procedures, and are given medications.  

• Your full name and birth date.
• Your medical diagnosis.
• Your primary physician's name.
• Your current list of medications, dosages, and allergies to medications.
• If you are to have surgery, verbally repeat the name of the surgery and the location of the surgery site on your body.
• If you are to have a treatment or procedure, verbally repeat the name of the procedure and what medical condition it is for.

If you are shy about verbally repeating a checklist to a medical professional, you can ask politely like this:

"Would you mind if I go over a few things before we begin? I'm not doubting you, I just want to play a role in my safety."

Tools To Help Implement The Patient Safety Checklist

1. Your Advocate. If you are a patient in the hospital, ask a family member or good friend to oversee and monitor your care. He or she can implement these strategies if you are unable.
2. The Success of Checklists Includes Repetition. Verbally repeat the items of The Patient Safety Checklist with each new medical professional who administers medical treatment.
3. Safe Surgery. If you are to have surgery in the hospital, ask your loved one who is acting as your advocate to accompany you to the operating room. He or she will not be allowed inside. Ask to see the surgeon or other members of the surgical team. Go over your checklist with the medical professionals: patient's name and birth date, allergies to medications, name of surgery and the correct site on the body which is to be operated on. You can mark this yourself with a permanent marker or ask the surgeon to do it.
4. Monitor Medications. If medications are to be administered, go over your list of medications, dosages and allergies to medications with the medical professionals. If you don't recognize a medication or something seems unusual or out of the ordinary, speak up. Ask questions. 
5. Hospital Infections Are Real Threats to Your Safety. To prevent the spread of hospital infections, ask everyone who comes in contact with you to wash their hands. In a respectful manner, ask all physicians and nurses to wash their hands and put on disposable gloves before touching you. Get a private room if it is feasible. If you do not have a roommate, it cuts down on the number of people who enter your room.
6. Falls Can Happen To Anyone. If you are at risk for falling out of bed due to sedation, recovery from surgery or confusion, ask a loved one to be at your bedside at all times to help you. Patients often try to get out of bed to go to the bathroom and fall, which can cause serious injuries. You can hire a nurse or sitter to fill in for loved ones. 
7. Nobody Wants Skin Breakdown, aka "Bedsores". If you are immobile in your hospital bed, your body needs to be turned regularly to prevent bedsores. Ask your advocate to work with your primary nurse to make sure that your body is turned the appropriate number of times in a day to prevent bedsores. Similar concepts for if you are sitting up; proper positioning and cushioning is essential. 
8. Ask Questions. If you are unclear about any aspect of your medical care or treatment, ask questions. Physicians and nurses are dealing with patient overload and most are doing the best they can. You can partner effectively with them to keep yourself safe in the hospital.

Comments

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 6:50pm

#1 [3]

Mardy Ross

Title: LumiGRATE Poster - Top of the Totem Pole

Joined: Feb 16 2009

Posts: 2032

"I want to play a role in my safety -- JUST checkin'..."

Martine, this is outstanding, thank you! I appreciate that you come from such a place of global understanding; we've spoken on the phone extensively and I know that you are truly the advocate for patients working WITHIN the medical system for their health care, and, like me, you're aware of both sides of the issue and are simply finding the most effective outcomes.  What is good for the patient is ALSO good for the provider!

Often times people presume I am 'anti' conventional medicine; that is not the case at all. I believe in functional medicine, and integrating all the providers' expertise together equally for best outcomes, which includes body, mind and spirit ideally.  Within that, conventional medicine has a role.  I see that you similarly appreciate what the providers and their business entities are doing for people.  Thank you for that AND for this fine list.  

I just obtained my advance copy of "The Take Charge Patient" and am eager to read it -- if this is any indication of what's in it, I have much to look forward to! I've skimmed over it enough to know that it's a marvelous resource and it's available not a moment too soon!  I hope EVERY person takes the time to consider how critical this is to their lives and invests, if they wish, in the time, energy and money resources (a very reasonable amount for a beautifully done book in paper or Kindle, if I'm not mistaken!)  ~~Mardy

__________________

Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [4] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!

Top [5]

• Login [6] or register [7] to post comments

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 7:16pm

#2 [8]

Martine Ehrenclou

Title: LumiGRATE Poster - Frequently

Joined: Aug 15 2011

Posts: 20

I agree, and appreciate being part of Lumigrate

Mardy, yes, you are right -- a collaborative effort is so important between patients and medical providers. And a lot of what is good for patients also benefits providers. We are on the same page. 

Thanks for your kind comments about my new book, The Take-Charge Patient. 

Many thanks for allowing me to contribute to Lumigrate and to be a part of a unique and wonderful source of information. 

Martine

__________________

I'm an author, patient advocate and speaker. My new book, The Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get The Best Medical Care, was released 5/2012 www.TheTakeChargePatient.com [2] I lecture, write and publish articles on the issues of patient safety, patient advocacy, the collaborative relationship between patients and medical professionals, effective communication strategies to interact with medical professionals and other health/medical related issues. I hope you benefit and enjoy my being part of things at Lumigrate as much as I do! Also, I am a member of: -HHS, Partnership for Patients -The Society of Participatory Medicine -The National Patient Advocate Foundation -National Healthcare Advocacy Consultants

Top [5]

• Login [6] or register [7] to post comments