Patient Safety

Abstract

Excellent patient care is dependent upon attention to patient safety. There are many elements of patient safety that the practitioner must attend to; first and foremost is obtaining a complete medical and medication history. The more medically compromised the patient, the more time will be required to develop a thorough understanding of the patient’s medical status and its implication in risk assessment. Ensuring that the correct treatment is provided is absolute. In a busy office, errors can occur. Steps, such as “time-out,” to verify name and identify information, procedure, specific medical conditions, and allergies, can minimize medical errors and optimize care. Patient care extends beyond the actual time in treatment, and appropriate planning is required for continuance of care once the patient leaves the office. Despite the best of intentions and care, adverse events occur and the office must be prepared to manage these situations appropriately. Patient safety is an evolving process, and operating under the philosophy of “we have always done it this way” is no longer adequate or appropriate. This chapter will address several of these issues and others that are critical to patient safety.