National Patient Safety Goals

2004 Behavioral Health Care National Patient Safety Goals

 
1 Improve the accuracy of client identification.
a Use at least two client identifiers (neither to be the room number) whenever taking blood samples or administering medications. [Scored at Standard PC.5.10, EP #4]
2 Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.
a Implement a process for taking verbal or telephone orders or critical test results that require a verification "read-back" of the complete order or test result by the person receiving the order or test result. [Scored at Standard IM.6.50, EP #4]
b Standardize the abbreviations, acronyms and symbols used throughout the organization, including a list of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols not to use. [Scored at Standard IM.3.10, EP #2]
3 Improve the safety of using high-alert medications.
b Standardize and limit the number of drug concentrations available in the organization. [Scored at Standard MM.2.20, EP #8]
4 Not applicable.
5 Improve the safety of using infusion pumps.
a Ensure free-flow protection on all general-use intravenous infusion pumps used in the organization.
6 Improve the effectiveness of clinical alarm systems.
a Implement regular preventive maintenance and testing of alarm systems.
b Assure that alarms are activated with appropriate settings and are sufficiently audible with respect to distances and competing noise within the environment.
7 Reduce the risk of health care-acquired infections.
a Comply with current CDC hand hygiene guidelines, when providing services to a high risk population or administering physical care.
b Manage as sentinel events all identified cases of unanticipated death or major permanent loss of function associated with a health care-acquired infection.