La seguridad clínica: pequeños pasos y grandes palabras

[How to manage risk in the surgical area. A Modal Analysis of Failures and Surgical Effects]

OBJECTIVE

First to identify the areas of improvement in the surgical area before and during the performance of a surgical procedure in general surgery through the application of a Modal Analysis of Failures and Effects. Second to establish preventive measures to avoid adverse events in the surgical area.

METHOD

A multidisciplinary working group was created in a university hospital for risk management in the General Surgery Operating Room Unit. The Modal Analysis of Faults and Effects was used. Potential risks for the patient in the ante-surgery and within the operating room were identified. The Risk Priority Index was calculated and preventive measures were established for all of them, with special interest when the Risk Priority Index was higher than 100. Preventive measures were developed based on the detected risks as well as those responsible for them.

RESULTS

We identified a greater number of risks when the patient is in the operating room than in the ante-surgery room. Those with a higher risk priority index were: anticoagulated or antiaggregated patients, urinary tract infections, osteoarticular or neuropathic problems, patients not prepared for colon surgery, errors in laterality and leaving compresses in the operative field.

CONCLUSIONS

A risk map has been developed in our organization, allowing the design of strategies to improve Patient Safety in the Surgical area. Training is a key aspect to improve Patient Safety.

[Assessment of patient safety reporting system in Madrid health services (primary care and hospitals)]

OBJECTIVES

Improve the patient safety reporting system of the Functional Units of Health Risk Management (UFGRS) in Madrid health services, analysing the opinion of the UFGRS about its content, completion and usefulness, detecting the difficulties and identifying the areas for improvement.

METHOD

A descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire addressed to the 45 UFGRS of the Madrid Health Services.

RESULTS

The questionnaire, with a scale of 1 to 5, received responses with an average higher than 3.70: contents (3.77); how to complete the form (3.72); clarity of data shown in the report (3.94) and the overall usefulness of the information (3.77). The most significant difficulties found were related to the excess and reiteration of the information requested. As regards areas for improvement, the most notable was the demand for more refining and analysis of the information about safe practices, the execution of two types of format for reporting results in order to facilitate dissemination among the centres and the review of the classification of safety incidents. Knowing the opinion of the Functional Units of the information system may improve the usefulness of the report as far as accessibility, presentation and exchange of information on patient safety is concerned.

Strengths and threats regarding the patients safety: nursing professionals opinion

The aim of this research is to know the barriers and opportunities that nursing professionals detect in their clinical practice in order to develop the culture of patient safety and to identify future research lines. This qualitative study is based on the DELPHI method, with a group of 19 nursing professionals from education and care practice, involving both primary and specialized care. Weaknesses and threats revolve around five categories: profession, organization and infrastructure; indicators; communication and safety culture; and safety training. Opportunities to improve safety cover six categories: organizational change; promotion of the safety culture, professional training and development; relationship with the patients; research; and strategic planning. Work is needed to improve safety and nursing should be ready to assume this leadership.

[Patient perceptions on healthcare safety]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Patient Safety is an issue of growing interest in healthcare politics and specialized bibliography, but there are limited studies that include the perspective of the public on healthcare safety.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Qualitative research performed in 4 Spanish Autonomous Regions, using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with patients and representatives of associations. Discourse analysis and result triangulation.

RESULTS

For the patients interviewed, the concept of safety is not limited to absence of error, but includes aspects such as confidence, communication, information and participation. In the process of resolving of adverse events, an apologetic attitude by the professionals is considered a key element. Existing interventions such as protocols and notification systems are positively valued, at same time pointing out difficulties in the implementation process. As regards information, the patients demand that the professional is trained in communication skills. More participation in their own healthcare process and clinical management is considered appropriate, at same time, it was stated that few members of the public have the opportunity to participate in current safety policies.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding healthcare safety, patients and key agents indicate the importance of moving from a blame culture to a confidence culture.