Surgical errors can be reduced with a simple checklist
|
Unfortunately many hospitals, nurses and physicians have poor communication practices. Time and time again studies have shown that poor communications increase medical errors and patient deaths.
In my cases I frequently see instances where doctors give orders, hospital nursing or technical staff do not complete the orders, and doctors do not check back for the results. Without appropriate 'hand off' communications (as required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) or follow-up by a physician, quite often the patient suffers harm. Other times I see nurses and technical staff who do not speak up, as they should, when they see something that compromises patient safety. A new study out of the U.S. Veterans Administration shows that training health care providers on patient safety and communication will lowers the surgical death rate. Responsible hospitals need to take the lead to ensure that their medical staff, nurses, and technicians are trained to communicate, and recognize and act upon patient safety issues. We need to see a culture of quality health care where patient safety is the first priority. Patients and family members can be a part of good communication by asking questions and speaking up to receive the healthcare attention they need. [B>Resources[/B> [URL="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101019/ap_on_he_me/us_med_surgery_checklist">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101019/ap_on_he_me/us_med_surgery_checklist[/URL>  Robert Painter is an attorney and member of Painter Law Firm PLLC. Opinions expressed on Painter Law Firm are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of Painter Law Firm. Opinions and comments do not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Read More from Painter Law Firm
Channel 39 coverage: Houston attorney receives award for retrieving dinosaur bonesBetter Business Bureau Recognizes Painter Law Firm with Pinnacle AwardMongolian President Elbegdorj bestows Order of the Polar Star on Robert PainterTyrannosaurus skeleton heading back to Mongolia after fast litigationStillbirth and baby death lawsuits in TexasLawsuit over botched gastric surgery on 43 year old Conroe womanAccess to health care through the emergency roomVideo: Avoiding a brain injury during a hospitalizationVideo: Brachial plexus injuries/Erb's Palsy from birthPacific Standard coverage of Mongolian Tyrannosaurus bataar dinosaur case |
About Robert Painter
Robert Painter is an attorney and member of Painter Law Firm PLLC. Categories
Get updates by email
Our AttorneysPainter Firm HighlightsPainter Firm HightlightsNew on Painter Law Firm
|
0
Contact
Blog
RSS
Biography
All Articles
On Twitter
Taunya Painter
Stephen Novotny
RSS