This 116 page report includes policies and procedures to meet 'best practices' as well as accreditation and certification standards for risk management and safety issues in ambulatory care. Consents for Care - numerous examples, reference and resources, example forms and web sites are also included. This product is updated for 2007.

Preface

• Quotable Quotes
• Introduction and definitions; JCAHO sentinel events
• Medical error rates
• Practices to improve patient safety – examples
• JCAHO Home Care Patient Safety Goals
• JCAHO Ambulatory Care Patient Safety Goals
• Risk defined
• Risks related to “managed care”
• Risk Management, Safety and Infection Control: Master Policy
• Common problem examples with solutions
• JCAHO Standards; Patient Safety Rules
• Health Care Provider Errors; Types of Errors
• Facilities and Environment – Policy
• Clinical Indicators to Monitor
• Needle Sticks – ‘Sharps’
• CPR Training Policy example
• Malpractice avoidance
• Avoiding Back Injuries
• Tracking Significant Abnormal Diagnostic Results
• Telephone Communications
• Facility Disaster Plans
• Bomb Threat Emergency
• Earthquake Safety
• Electrical Emergency
• Fires
  • Fire Emergencies
  • Fire Safety Procedures
  • Fire Prevention
• Patient Identification
• Color Codes - Charts, Wristbands
• Disruptive physicians and other providers
• Medication management - error prevention
• Medication reconciliation
• Laboratory Reports – failure to review and act on results
• Hazardous Materials
• Radiation Safety
• Mass Casualty Management (OSHA)
• Office Emergency Equipment, Medications, Supplies
• Risk Manager/Patient Relations
• Incident Reports
• State reports required for adverse events
• Incident Report Severity Codes
• Patient complaints (unsolicited) – relationship to malpractice risk
• Patient Concern Form
• Safety Standards, PacifiCare of California
• Risk Management/Patient Compliance
• Suspicious Packages - Response Guide (CDC)
• Staff Safety
• Credentials for Safety Officers
• Letters confirming employment history - omissions lead to lawsuits
• Consents for Care and Treatment
  • Capacity to consent
  • Informed consent policy
  • Development process for consent forms
  • Brochure for patients
  • Procedures requiring informed consent
  • Making Health Care Safer
• Obtaining Informed Consent
  • Refusal of treatment form
  • Procedure consent form
  • AMA Policy and Procedure, Release Form
  • Interpreter’s Statement
  • HIV testing - consent and payment procedures
  • Consent for immunizations
  • Consent for photography during a surgical procedure
  • General Consent for surgery, anesthetics and other services
  • Hysterectomy consent
  • Acknowledgement for Hysterectomy Information (Medicaid requirement)
  • Consent for sterilization form
  • Prostate Needle Biopsy consent form
  • Rubber band ligation, hemorrhoids
  • Telemedicine consent form
  • DNR/withholding of treatment order form
  • Gastroscopy – information sheet and consent
  • Placement of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tubes (PEGs)
  • Phase I Oncology Treatment Trial Consents
  • Report of Occurrence - Form

  References and resources

  AHRQ Evidence report/technology assessment #43: Making Health Care Safer . A Critical Analysis of Patient Safety Practices. excerpts

  References

  Resources

  10+ Most Underutilized ‘Best Practices’

  ASC safety checklists - links

  Wrong Site Surgery

  Wrong Patient Surgery

  New York State Health Dept. - Pre-Operative Protocols to Enhance Safe Surgical Care

  AHRQ Patient Fact Sheet: 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors

  Home safety inspections

  Personal Protective Equipment

  Web sites