We strive to keep our nurses and the healthcare community informed regarding JCAHO standards. As health care providers, you've probably seen these new standards through changes that the health care facility you're affilitated with has implented in assuring procedural compliance with these standards.
Listed below of the 2007 JCAHO Patient Safety Standards:
GOAL 1 - IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF PATIENT IDENTIFICATION
1A - Use at least two patient identifiers when providing care, treatment or services.
1B - Prior to the start of an invasive procedure, conduct a final verification process, (such as a "time out,") to confirm the correct patient , procedure and site using active - not passive - communication techniques.
GOAL 2 - IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION AMONG CAREGIVERS
2A - For verbal or telephone orders or for telephonic reporting of critical test results, verify the complete order or test results by having the person receiving the information record and "read back" the complete order or test result.
2B - Standardize a list of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations that are not to be used throughout the organization.
2C - Measure, assess and, if appropriate, take action to improve the timeliness of reporting, and the timeliness of receipt by the responsible licensed caregiver, of critical test results and values.
2E - Implement a standardized approach to “hand off” communications, including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions.
GOAL 3 - IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF USING MEDICATION
3B - Standardize and limit the number of drug concentrations used by the organization.
3C - Identify and, at a minimum, annually review a list of look-alike/sound-alike drugs used by the organization, and take action to prevent errors involving the interchange of these drugs.
3D - Label all medications, medication containers (for example, syringes, medicine cups, basins), or other solutions on and off the sterile field.
GOAL 7 - REDUCE THE RISK OF HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS
7A - Comply with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on handwashing
CDC Handwashing Guidelines
7B - Manage as sentinel events all identified cases of unanticipated death or major permanent loss of function associated with a health care-associated infection.
GOAL 8 - ACCURATELY AND COMPLETELY RECONCILE MEDICATIONS ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE
8A - There is a process for comparing the patient’s current medications with those ordered for the patient while under the care of the organization.
8B - A complete list of the patient’s medications is communicated to the next provider of service when a patient is referred or transferred to another setting, service, practitioner or level of care within or outside the organization. The complete list of medications is also provided to the patient on discharge from the facility.
GOAL 9 - REDUCE THE RISK OF PATIENT HARM RESULTING FROM FALL
9B - Implement a fall reduction program including an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.
GOAL 10 - REDUCE THE RISK OF INFLUENZA AND PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE IN INSTITUTIONALIZED OLDER ADULTS
10A - Develop and implement a protocol for administration and documentation of the flu vaccine.
10B - Develop and implement a protocol for administration and documentation of the pneumococcus vaccine.
10C - Develop and implement a protocol to identify new cases of influenza and to manage an outbreak.
GOAL 11 - REDUCE THE RISK OF SURGICAL FIRES
11A - Educate staff, including operating licensed independent practitioners and anesthesia providers, on how to control heat sources and manage fuels with enough time for patient preparation, and establish guidelines to minimize oxygen concentration under drapes.
GOAL 12 - IMPLEMENTATION OF APPLICABLE NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY GOALS AND ASSOCIATED REQUIREMENTS BY COMPONENT AND PRACTITIONER SITES
12A - Inform and encourage components and practitioner sites to implement the applicable National Patient Safety Goals and associated requirements.
GOAL 13 - ENCOURAGE PATIENTS' ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR OWN CARE AS A PATIENT SAFETY STRATEGY
13A - Define and communicate the means for patients and their families to report concerns about safety and encourage them to do so.
GOAL 14 - PREVENT HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED PRESSURE ULCERS
14A - Assess and periodically reassess each resident’s risk for developing a pressure ulcer (decubitus ulcer) and take action to address any identified risks.
GOAL 15 - THE ORGANIZATION IDENTIFIES SAFETY RISK INHERENT IN ITS PATIENT POPULATION
15A - The organization identifies patients at risk for suicide.
15B - The organization identifies risks associated with long-term oxygen therapy such as home fires.
