VWB Blog No matter what kind of healthcare practice you work in, safety for patients will always be your number one priority.
However, on this measure, we are falling behind. By all measures, patient safety is getting worse, with greater numbers of avoidable incidents happening across the board.
With this also comes greater risks to visitor safety, with can result in serious consequences for any medical practitioner. While this dip in safety can be partly attributed to the pandemic, that is not the full story.
In many cases, simply following the tried-and-tested safety tips for hospitals will prevent the majority of incidents from ever occurring. With that in mind, here are some timeless ways to avoid medical errors in your practice.
1. Hand Hygiene Is Everything
In any healthcare setting, hand hygiene is the golden rule. A staggering number of complications and botched procedures are caused by improper hand hygiene.
This means ensuring that all staff members and visitors constantly wash and sanitize their hands. They should always use proper antibacterial soap and sanitizer.
It also means educating your staff. Make sure everyone knows when and how often to clean their hands. This can mean the difference between life and death.
2. Safety for Patients With Different Needs
Whenever possible, patients should be separated according to need. On the most obvious level, this means separating patients with contagious communicable diseases from the rest of the population.
It also means putting patients with severe mental health problems in a place where they cannot cause harm to themselves or others.
There is a reason why hospitals have had specialized wards for centuries now, so do not forget this basic safety tenet.
3. Always Use the Right Equipment
In any medical setting, there is a dizzying array of equipment needed to do the job. It is absolutely vital that you do not cut corners here, and always purchase your equipment from trustworthy, verified suppliers.
For example, if you are sourcing your syringes from an online vendor, make sure to pick one that only offers trusted brands and has a strong reputation for quality. You cannot afford to do otherwise.
4. Build a Stronger Safety Culture
Many of the best things you can do to improve safety revolve around the culture of your practice. It means educating every single person on the basics of safety, whether they are a resident surgeon or a janitor.
It means doing everything possible not to overburden your staff, giving them enough time off to rest and not come into work exhausted. It means listening to your team, and taking swift action whenever they identify a potential threat to safety.
This way, you can significantly reduce the chance of any incidents occurring, now and in the future.
Smarter Tips for Healthier Living in 2023 and Beyond
Safety for patients is equally important whether we’re talking about large hospitals, dental practices, or small cosmetic procedure clinics.
By putting safety at the forefront of everything you do, you can contribute to a thriving, effective medical practice.
For more actionable tips for healthier living, we are here to help. You can check out our dedicated Health section for advice and insights you can trust.