The healthcare sector remains one of the most complex industries in the world. Despite the emphasis on quality, the complexity and multifaceted nature of the care setting has always meant that achieving patient safety remains a significant issue. Enhancing a culture of safety continues to be one of the most fundamental tenets in leveraging quality. However, problems such as medical errors and a lack of quality insurance (QI) department have caused many hospitals to renege on their service delivery. The rate of medical errors in the care facilities continues to happen at an unprecedented rate contributing to adverse events on the patients and jeopardizing the overall quality of health. Today, many facilities are hell-bent on building a safe healthcare system to ensure that the quality of care delivery is top-notch. Patient safety can only be achieved with a strong QI initiative backed with the effective management and mitigation of medical errors.
Reducing Medical Errors
Medical errors occur thanks to a combination of systematic and human factors. According to Garrouste-Orgeas et al. (2012), the rate of human error ranges between 30% and 80%. The implications of medical errors cannot be underestimated. First, medical errors have a direct impact on patient safety as they cause adverse patient reactions. They could also contribute to injury, toxicity, disability, and even death. Different types of medical errors exist including surgical errors, laboratory errors, medication errors, and adverse drug reactions among others. Also, the fact that most medical errors are underreported makes it a threat to the safety of patients and the quality that is given (Bari, Khan, & Rathore, 2016). The nature of medical errors in the care facility shows that it is a systematic problem that cuts across various departments. An error in the laboratory could lead to medication errors in the clinical setting and adverse drug reactions that affect the pharmacy.
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In this regard, reducing medical errors requires a joint departmental strategy by the nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and laboratory professionals. A culture of safety will only thrive if the health professionals are enlightened on the need to report medical errors. Bari et al. (2016) assert that medical errors have often been underreported due to the fear of the repercussions and the embarrassment involved in it. As such, it has promoted a culture of a cover-up, which ultimately contributes to the systematic lack of safety in the hospital setting. The mitigation of medical errors requires the stringent implementation of the QI systems in the hospital. Nurses and physicians must receive training in quality assurance including ways to prevent and report errors whenever they occur. QI also focuses on evidence-based approaches such as measurement and data analytics to assist the care professionals in making the appropriate decision that enhances patient safety.
Orgeas et al. (2012) assert that professional training is another significant way of mitigating medical errors. Health professionals should undergo joint team training that focuses on quality assurance and patient safety. Part of the causes for the medical errors stems from the systematic problems within the care facilities. Examples of systematic problems include bureaucracy, lack of adequate resources, and poor leadership. Through training and capacity building, health professionals can acquire sufficient knowledge to correct these areas. The last strategy that will be utilized to reduce medical errors involves the creation of a strong communication network. Bari et al. (2016) believe that enhancing strong communication culture where people engage and seek clarification can prevent human errors. Health professionals should continuously collaborate and communicate openly whenever they work jointly. However, the most important communication is between the patient and the health professional.
Patient Safety and Cost Saving
Other than being a patient right, patient safety has significant economic implications within the care facility (Ahmed et al., 2019). Several research studies have been conducted across the country in a bid to understand and appreciate the economic importance of patient safety. Between 2014 and 2017, care facilities across the United States hospitals used safety initiatives that led to the prevention of about 350,000 nosocomial conditions (Heath, 2018). The nosocomial or hospital-acquired infections include adverse drug events, pressure injuries, falls, and surgical site infections, among others. Heath (2018) says, “In total, reductions in adverse hospital events prevented about 8000 deaths and saved approximately $2.9 billion.” Without a doubt, the enhancement of patient safety through quality improvements and the mitigation of medical errors have positive effects on the economic viability of a nation. The country will continue saving billions of dollars, which could be used in other sectors of the economy or to improve healthcare delivery.
The advent of the Affordable Care saw an increased focus on increasing access to healthcare and the improvement of quality. Several documented cases have shown how medical errors and a systematic lack of positive patient outcomes could eventually lead to adverse reactions such as disability and morbidity. As such, this has an increased toll on an individual’s personal health thereby causing them to spend more than they initially intended. Therefore, patients relying on out-of-pocket payments can heavily suffer from loopholes in patient safety as they will spend more to cater to the needs that emerge due to the mistakes in the care sector (Ahmed et al., 2019).
The Role of the Joint Commission in Healthcare
The mission of the Joint Commission is to improve the safety and further work on the quality of healthcare given to the public. The primary role of the Joint Commission is to accredit care facilities and health organization by appraising their ability to provide the much-needed quality. It also engages in other related services aimed at supporting performance and leveraging healthcare delivery in the identified organizations. Through accreditation and certification, the commission ensures that only deserving organizations receive the nod to treat the patients. As such, it directly contributes to the process of enhancing patient safety. Through performance measurement initiatives, the Joint Commission keeps health organizations in track and provides them with an incentive to enhance quality and safety (Ahmed et al., 2019). Lastly, the organization also suggests health policies and works with the necessary stakeholders to ensure its full implementation. The Joint Commission is composed of different stakeholders who provide it with a wide array of knowledge and expertise regarding how it can improve health service delivery uniformly across the country.
Future Role in the Healthcare
The healthcare industry is rapidly changing with new challenges such as the aging population and the complexities created by the policies. As a nurse, I have an essential duty to contribute to the healthcare industry. I want to be at the helm of quality services across the entire health spectrum. Through consultation, education, collaborations, and effective communication, I believe that patient safety is a possibility. I also appreciate the fact that mistakes and errors are part of the nature of human beings. In this regard, I will accept my flaws and continuously work to mitigate them by shaping my attitudes and removing any systematic barriers. As a young nurse, I would also want to engage in continuous education and capacity building. Nursing is a dynamic profession that changes with time. In a bid to ensure that I remain part of the wave, continuous knowledge acquisition will form part of my goal. As such, this will provide me with the much-desired impetus to engage patients and other health professionals at the highest possible level.
Role of the Chief Nursing Officer
Ingwell-Spolan (2018) says, “Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) have a demanding, complex role that commands accountability in leading the nursing profession and achieving quality patient outcomes.” Through a strong emphasis on accountability, the CNO has a crucial role in ensuring that the nurse achieves the desired patient outcomes. The CNO is regarded as the leader of the nurse at the point of care delivery. They are constantly informed about the progress of work and further welcome ideas and opinions regarding that could improve the workplace. The author continues by asserting that the role of the CNO is based on consistently finding the truth and ensuring that it helps in promoting safe environments. As leaders, the CNO consistently engage in the removal of professional barriers and enhancing administrative efficiency to help link the nurses with the hospital’s stakeholders. I believe that the CNO has a direct and indirect impact on patient safety. Other than acting as leaders, they advocate for the patients at the highest possible level through policy and engagement with relevant authorities.
Conclusion
Patient safety can only be achieved with a strong QI initiative backed with the effective management and mitigation of medical errors. Reducing medical errors requires a collaborative effort from every member of the care team. The focus should be placed on effective reporting, communication, and the installation of appropriate quality improvement techniques. Patient safety is also directly associated with cost-effectiveness. A safe environment for the patients means reduced morbidity, adverse events, and extra cost to cater for the adversities. The Joint Commission directly contributes to patient safety by accrediting health organizations that meet the predetermined safety standards. Lastly, the role of the CNO will continue positively impacting safety by acting as leaders and advocates.
References
Ahmed, Z., Saada, M., Jones, A. M., & Al-Hamid, A. M. (2019). Medical errors: Healthcare professionals’ perspective at a tertiary hospital in Kuwait. PloS one, 14(5), e0217023.
Bari, A., Khan, R. A., & Rathore, A. W. (2016). Medical errors; causes, consequences, emotional response, and resulting behavioral change. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 32(3), 523.
Garrouste-Orgeas, M., Philippart, F., Bruel, C., Max, A., Lau, N., & Misset, B. (2012). Overview of medical errors and adverse events. Annals of Intensive Care, 2(1), 2.
Heath, S. (2018). Hospital Patient Safety Efforts Reduce Hospital Conditions by 8%. https://patientengagementhit.com/news/hospital-patient-safety-efforts-reduce-hospital-conditions-by-8
Ingwell-Spolan, C. (2018, June). Chief Nursing Officers’ Views on Meeting the Needs of the Professional Nurse: How This Can Affect Patient Outcomes. In Healthcare (Vol. 6, No. 2, p. 56). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.
