March 12th to March 18th is Patient Safety Awareness Week. Some studies suggest that as many as 400,000 deaths occur each year in the United States due to preventable harm. Those cases that do not end in death can have a long-term impact on the patient’s physical and emotional health. Patient safety is a crucial aspect of healthcare that involves preventing patient harm and minimizing risks associated with medical treatments.

March 12th to March 18th is Patient Safety Awareness Week. Some studies suggest that as many as 400,000 deaths occur each year in the United States due to preventable harm. Those cases that do not end in death can have a long-term impact on the patient’s physical and emotional health. Patient safety is a crucial aspect of healthcare that involves preventing patient harm and minimizing risks associated with  medical treatments.

Sepsis and Patient Safety.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can arise from infections. It is a critical concern for patient safety in healthcare. Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system responds abnormally to an infection, causing widespread inflammation and organ dysfunction. It can lead to septic shock, a severe form of sepsis that can be fatal if not treated promptly. To ensure patient safety and prevent sepsis, specific measures must be taken in healthcare settings, including:

• Ensuring early recognition and treatment of infections
• Monitoring for signs and symptoms of sepsis. Vigilance for signs of sepsis is vital. These include fever, rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure
• Implement protocols for sepsis management
• Provide education to all healthcare providers and patients to improve recognition and management of the condition
• The continual evaluation of processes and protocols for managing sepsis by healthcare facilities and implementing changes as necessary to improve patient outcomes

Overall, ensuring patient safety and preventing sepsis requires a multifaceted approach that involves early recognition and prompt treatment of infection, vigilance for signs of sepsis, effective sepsis management protocols, education, and continuous quality improvement.

How to Protect Yourself from Harm.

If you or your loved one are admitted to the Emergency Room for sepsis or have an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse, remember these steps:

• Inform the hospital of your primary care provider, and have the information documented in your medical record
• Ensure that all test results completed during your ER visit are reviewed by a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner familiar with your presenting condition
• Ensure that you or your loved one’s discharge does not occur until a medical professional reviews and communicates any tests that could reasonably be expected to yield critical results
• Ensure you receive a written discharge plan that is also verbally communicated to you by a medical decision-maker
• Ensure that you receive information about the diagnosis or possible diagnoses considered during your visit
• Ensure that you are provided, upon discharge from the hospital or ER, with a phone number that you can call for advice if complications or questions arise concerning your condition.