Patient safety
The information about patient safety below has been selected by RCN Standards, Knowledge and Information Services; Nursing Department for the May 2013 issue of the HCA&APs e-newsletter.
We hope you find it useful. Please contact rcn.library@rcn.org.uk if you would like to make any comments, we would especially like to hear if there are any topics you would like us to cover.
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A selection of resources you may not have already seen are below.
Websites
NHS Patient Safety http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/
RCN: Infection Prevention and Control http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/practice/infection_control
RCN: Patient Safety and Human Factors http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/practice/patient_safety
RCN Publications
All RCN publications are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
RCN (2011) Infection prevention and control: information and learning resources for health care staff
Available at http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/394567/003876.pdf
RCN (2012) Essential practice for infection prevention and control: guidance for nursing staff
Available at http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/427832/004166.pdf
RCN (2012) Safe staffing levels for older people’s wards: an RCN toolkit
Available at http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/479349/004301.pdf
Books
Kalra, J (2011) Medical errors and patient safety: strategies to reduce and disclose medical errors and improve patient safety Berlin: De Gruyter
Schuster, P and Nykolyn, L (2010) Communication for nurses: how to prevent harmful events and promote patient safety Philadelphia: F A Davis
Tingle, J and Bark, P (2011) Patient safety, law policy and practice Abingdon: Routledge
Vincent, C (2010) Patient safety Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell
Wachter, R (2012) Understanding patient safety New York: McGraw-Hill
Journal articles
Moving and positioning individuals.
Author: Green, Danielle.
Publication info: Nursing & Residential Care 14. 10 (October 2012): 506-509.
Abstract: Legislation and health and safety aspects of manual handling are discussed, and strategies for the minimisation of risk are considered. The use of clear communication to promote informed consent and the active participation of residents is discussed. 8 references
Clinical human factors: the need to speak up to improve patient safety.
Author: Reid, Jane; Bromiley, Martin.
Publication info: Nursing Standard 26. 35 (May 2, 2012): 35-40.
Abstract: Examination of ways in which human factors affect patient safety, with a focus on a case study involving errors in the emergency management of a healthy young woman who died following anaesthesia for elective surgery for sinus problems.. The importance of recognising an emergency situation and feeling confident to speak up are considered. 25 references
Healthcare has the H-Factor.
Author: Currie, Lynne.
Publication info: British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 6. 4 (April 2012): 195-197.
Abstract: Relationship between human factors and patient safety in health care and how managing factors can affect health care assistants work performance. The concept of clinical human factors is defined and the influence of system problems on patient safety failures is discussed. 11 references
Understanding the role of non-technical skills in patient safety.
Author: White, Nick.
Publication info: Nursing Standard 26. 26 (2012): 43-48.
Abstract: Case study involving the death of a surgery patient due to team errors made during an anaesthesia-related emergency. Human factors and non-technical skills in the errors made are discussed, including lack of a good team structure, poor communication and a lack of awareness about the amount of time passing. Recommendations for improvements in communication between nurses and other team members are discussed. 33 references
Tooling up for patient safety: 'seeing is believing'.
Author: Tingle, John.
Publication info: British Journal of Nursing 20. 18 (October 13, 2011): 1208-1209.
Abstract: Tools used to assess the safety culture of NHS organisations. The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture, the Manchester Patient Safety Framework and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire are described, and the Health Foundation's 'Measuring Safety Culture' (2011) is discussed. 3 references
On how to improve drug use to minimise risks to patients.
Author: Woodward, S.
Publication info: Nursing Times 105. 35 (September 8, 2009): 33.
Abstract: Summary and explanation of the National Patient Safety Agency report on medication errors and incidents 'Safety in Doses' (2009), which identifies patterns of serious medication incident reporting. Types of error and strategies for reducing the risk to patients are identified.
Be alert to patient safety.
Author: Lankshear, A.
Publication info: Nursing Standard 23. 43 (July 1, 2009): 62-63.
Abstract: The importance of patient safety alerts, and how nurses can use them to help reduce clinical risks.
DISCLAIMER: This information has been selected by RCN Standards, Knowledge and Information Services; Nursing Department. We hope you find it useful. However, we do not accept responsibility for the wording, content and accuracy of the information at sites linked to.