Creating a patient-safe environment in a perioperative setting

ABSTRACT
- AS A RESULT OF NEW regulatory requirements and consumer demands for optimal health care, a focus on patient safety is even more important.
- IN 2001, A CORPORATE PATIENT SAFETY project was initiated by managers at one facility's six hospital-based perioperative suites. Although each suite had its own policies and procedures, no formal assessment of compliance with policies existed.
- A PERIOPERATIVE SAFETY ASSESSMENT was designed by resource management department consultants. The assessment included a tool, a questionnaire, and an assessment process.
- AFTER BEING TESTED AT ONE FACILITY, perioperative safety assessments were performed in the organization's six ORs and two ambulatory surgery centers. Best practices then were shared across the system. AORN J 81 (January 2005) 168-180.