The Institute of Medicine(IOM) published "To Err is
Human" in 1999. It was staggering to most
healthcare providers( including myself) to hear that
an estimated 98,000 patients die in hospitals
each year due to medical errors.
The Institute for Health's (INH) Save 100,000
Lives Campaign has reported findings for 18
months.Reports indicate the goal was exceeded and
the mission continues. The Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
has supported reducing medical errors through
National Patient Safety Goals, Universal Protocol and
most recently initiating standards for Healthcare
Staffing Agency Certification. This is a united,
positive force and the patient care strategies
implemented are excellent. Nurses nationwide are
contributing to these efforts.
Protect the Patient from Harm is the
foundation of the nursing profession and American
Nurses Association's (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses.
We have a moral and ethical responsibility to
advocate for patient safety and are accountable for
our actions.
According to the Bureau of National Statistics
(accessed www.bls.gov August 8,2006),
"registered nurses constitute the largest
healthcare occupation with 2.4 million jobs of which 3
out of 5 are in hospitals".
If anyone is a guardian or advocate for the patient it
is the RN who is responsible 24/7 for direct patient
care working in collaboration with the healthcare
team. Yet, as I present to healthcare providers at
various levels a program entitled Patient Safety
2005/2006 and Beyond I find many are not
familiar with To Err is Human and the
staggering statistics.
In the next two issues of our newsletter I am going
to review two anonymous case studies of family
members who recently survived their initial surgeries
but died due to complications, nosocomial infections
and preventable adverse events related to basic
nursing care. Opportunities for improvement will be
offered by practicing nurses in the field.
Think about the influence Nursing can have and the
difference 2 million plus nurses make at the
bedside. They effect positive patient outcomes each
day. Fostering an even stronger sense of
accountability for the patients left in our care is
needed. The old saying back to basics still stands.
We can make a difference. Nurses are and always
will be the advocates for patient safety and patient
care!!!
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EYE POPPERS
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The incidence of many diseases like cancer increases
over the age of 65. In the next 15-20 years there
will be over 100 million people 65+.
Couples over 66 years of age have a 50% chance
that one will spend time in a nursing home;
It is estimated that 98,000 deaths occur each year
from medical errors during hospitalization; 7,000
deaths come from medication errors;
2 million illnesses are induced by hospitals;
Need Dynamic Speakers?...
Call MHS.
We have organized a great team of speakers for
middle management education and for a program
Conquering the Health Care White Water Rapids
with Proven Trailblazing Interventions
The speakers will work with you individually or we
can present a full customized program.
- Barbara L. O'Brien President MHS
- Kevin O'Brien CEO Partners in Care
- Eugene Buccini President Buccini Associates
- Michael Daly President CSI
- Jim Wiederhold President Wiederhold &
Associates
- Mary Pat Sullivan CNO
- Ellen Walsh Consultant MHS
- Dorathy Perez Consultant MHS
- Dallas Piana Consultant MHS
- Velvet Miller VP Plexus Institute
- Robert Cooper President R L Cooper
Associates
To view more details visit Magnetic HealthCare
Strategies by clicking on:
