Trended data of patient incidents can point to shift and date where most incidents occur.
Desired Outcome
A 50% reduction in the number medication errors of all types over the next 12 months.
Goals and Objectives to Facilitate Outcome
The overarching goal of this program would be to reduce the number of medication errors in general and among those wards/shifts with the highest numbers of medication errors over the past 12 months. The objectives in support of this goal include:
1. Developing awareness campaign materials such as locally prepared newsletter articles, posters and brochures concerning the goal to reduce medication errors.
2. Conduct a medication error theme seminar that provides basic guidelines for avoiding medication errors (the "5 Ps").
Translation of Goals and Objectives into Policies and Procedures
The above-described goals and objectives would be codified in a center memorandum, signed by the director.
Relevant Professional Standards
This program is congruent with VA professional standards for patient care. In this regard, Jorm and Dunbar (2009) emphasize that, "In a patient-centered health system the views, experiences and rights of the patient drive the way that care is delivered. There is now an increasing emphasis on patient-centeredness as an essential characteristic of safe and high quality care" (p. 390). The initiative also encourages the use of the new Electronic Patient Event Report (ePER) system introduced by the VA in January 2013. According to the VA, "The ability for doctors, social workers, ward staff, and administrators to report events provides the opportunity to improve care for our Veterans" (Tillman, 2013, para. 3).
Explanation Concerning How the Proposed Resolution Upholds the Organization's Mission and...
By keeping track of these events and identifying patterns of occurrence, quality assurance professionals can help improve the quality of care being delivered to veteran patients in VA healthcare facilities. Because the information is frequently sensitive and can have implications for career development for the individuals involved, it is vitally important that any such initiative be implemented and administered in a thoughtful fashion that ensures anonymity in aggregated data analyses. In sum, quality assurance professionals have a number of useful tools at their disposal, including chart and peer review as well as patient incident reporting systems that can identify opportunities for improving patient care.
References
Jorm, C.M. & Dunbar, N. (2009, August). Should patient safety be more patient centered?
Australian Health Review, 33(3), 390-395.
Tillman, P. (2013, January 7). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from http://www.
durham.va.gov/features/New_Tool_Supporting_Patient_Safety.asp#sthash.EWdU6PTY.
dpuf.
Walshe, K. & Boaden, R. (2006). Patient safety: Research into practice. Maidenhead, England:
