The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality has published 10 evidence-based tips to prevent adverse events from occurring in a hospital.
Some of the best practices can apply to other providers as well, including ambulatory surgery centers.
The 10 patient safety tips are:
1. Prevent central line-associated blood stream infections.
2. Re-engineer hospital discharges.
3. Prevent venous thromboembolism.
4. Educate patients about using blood thinners safely.
5. Limit shift durations for medical residents and other hospital staff if possible.
6. Consider working with a Patient Safety Organization.
7. Use good hospital design principles.
8. Measure your hospital's patient safety culture.
9. Build better teams and rapid response systems.
10. Insert chest tubes safely.
To read more information about each of these tips from AHRQ, click here (pdf).
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Read more patient safety best practices:
- 4 Strategies for Involving Physicians in the ASC Accreditation Process
- Study: 55% of Surgical Site Infections Are Totally Preventable
- 16 Strategies to Reduce Dust and Moisture Intrusion During External Demolition and Construction