Please answer the following questions pertaining to the scenario. Utilize the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal links in the reference section of the scenario above to help formulate your responses.
- Which Joint Commission safety goals are directly related to health information technology? Describe at least two patient safety goals and provide an example of how this safety goal can be achieved in the acute care setting.
- What are the challenges or barriers that a Critical Access Hospital may bring in relation to implementing health information technology related patient safety goals?
- How can a group of nursing students impact the recommendations concerning alarm and medication administration safety cited by the Joint Commission?
Joint Commission Safety Goals Related to Health Information Technology
1. Goal 3: Improve the safety of using medications.
2. Goal 6: Reduce the harm associated with clinical alarm systems.
Describing the Goals and Examples in Acute Care Settings
Goal 3: Improve the safety of using medications
Description: This goal focuses on ensuring the correct medication is administered to the correct patient, in the correct dose, at the correct time, and by the correct route. This involves accurate and timely documentation, reducing medication errors, and ensuring proper communication among healthcare providers.
Example: Implementing electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) systems can significantly reduce medication errors. For instance, when a physician inputs a prescription directly into an electronic health record (EHR) system, it reduces the risk of errors due to illegible handwriting, incorrect dosing, or drug interactions. The system can also alert healthcare providers to potential allergies and contraindications, thereby improving medication safety.
Goal 6: Reduce the harm associated with clinical alarm systems
Description: This goal emphasizes the importance of managing clinical alarms to ensure they are heard and responded to in a timely manner. It aims to reduce alarm fatigue, which can occur when there are too many alarms, leading to desensitization and delayed responses by healthcare providers.
Example: Implementing smart alarm systems that prioritize alarms based on severity can help reduce alarm fatigue. For example, in an acute care setting, integrating smart alarms that categorize and prioritize alerts allows nurses and other healthcare providers to respond promptly to critical alarms while ignoring less urgent ones. Regular maintenance and proper training on these alarm systems ensure they function effectively and that staff can respond appropriately.
Challenges or Barriers for Critical Access Hospitals
1. Limited Financial Resources:
Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) often operate with limited budgets, which can make the initial investment in health information technology (HIT) challenging. The costs associated with purchasing, implementing, and maintaining advanced HIT systems can be prohibitive.
2. Staff Training and Support:
CAHs might face difficulties in providing ongoing training and support to their staff. Implementing new HIT systems requires comprehensive training to ensure all staff members can use the technology effectively. In smaller hospitals, there may be fewer resources available for this purpose, and staff might be stretched thin, balancing multiple roles and responsibilities.
3. Infrastructure and Technical Support:
Rural locations, where many CAHs are situated, might have inadequate infrastructure to support advanced HIT systems. Issues such as limited internet bandwidth, outdated hardware, and lack of on-site technical support can impede the effective implementation and use of these systems.
Impact of Nursing Students on Alarm and Medication Administration Safety
1. Participating in Safety Committees:
Nursing students can be actively involved in hospital safety committees, where they can provide fresh perspectives and innovative ideas on improving alarm and medication administration safety. They can contribute to discussions on policy development and implementation strategies based on their academic knowledge and clinical experiences.
2. Conducting Research and Presentations:
Nursing students can undertake research projects focused on alarm management and medication safety. By presenting their findings to hospital staff, they can highlight current issues and suggest evidence-based solutions. For example, they can study the effectiveness of different alarm management strategies and recommend best practices to reduce alarm fatigue.
3. Educating and Training Staff:
As part of their clinical rotations, nursing students can assist in educating and training hospital staff on the latest best practices in alarm management and safe medication administration. They can organize workshops, create educational materials, and provide one-on-one training sessions to ensure all staff members are well-informed and competent in using the available HIT systems.
By actively engaging in these activities, nursing students can play a crucial role in enhancing patient safety and promoting a culture of continuous improvement within healthcare settings.