Creating a patient-safe environment in a perioperative setting

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AS A RESULT OF NEW regulatory requirements and consumer demands for optimal health care, a focus on patient safety is even more important.

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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.

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A PERIOPERATIVE SAFETY ASSESSMENT was designed by resource management department consultants. The assessment included a tool, a questionnaire, and an assessment process.

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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.