2021 National Patient Safety Goals

2021 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) The purpose of the NPSGs is to improve patient safety. The goals focus on problems in health care safety and how to solve them. Goal How to demonstrate compliance: Correct Patient Identification NPSG.01.01.01  Use at least 2 ways to identify patients. MBMC uses name and date of birth (DOB). Compare with the armband.  Patient should state their name and date of birth. If the patient cannot state their name, patient’s armband must be used to verify name and DOB. Note: IF additional identifiers are needed to be sure the correct patient gets the correct medicine and treatment, this is acceptable, start with name & date of birth! For example – patients with same or similar names.  NEVER use the room number as the only identifier . Improve staff communication NPSG.02.03.01  Get important test results to the right staff person in a timely manner  Test results from the Laboratory, Radiology, Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Respiratory Care, etc. that are considered critical results (the physician needs to know urgently for a critical result ) are communicated as soon as possible to the physician. o One example- the Respiratory Care policy as follows: It is the responsibility of the Respiratory Care Practitioner to report all Critical (Panic) Laboratory Values to the patient's nurse immediately (within 10 minutes) so the physician can be notified or notify physician directly. o Source: CareNet – Policy/Procedure tab – Policy & Procedures – Public; MBMC Organizational P/P – Critical Test Results, Communication of Use medicines safely NPSG.03.04.01  Before a procedure, label medications that are not labeled . For example, medicines in syringes, cups, and basins . This should be done in the area where medicines and supplies are set up. Applies to OR, all procedural areas & procedures done in units/clinics at bedside . NPSG.03.05.01  Take extra care with patients taking medications to thin blood. NPSG.03.06.01  Document and pass on correct information about a patient’s medicine s. On admission find out what they are taking. Compare those medicines to new medicines given. Make sure the patient knows what medicines to take at home on discharge. Tell the patient it is important to bring an up-to-date list of medicines every time they visit a doctor (or come to the hospital). Use alarms safely NPSG.06.01.01  Improve processes to ensure alarms on medical equipment are heard and responded to on time! Make improvements to ensure that alarms on medical equipment are heard and responded to on time. T he hospital has policies and procedures for the management of alarms – Policy & Procedures – Public – Management of Alarms. For more information, go to http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx Updated:12/2020