ASCP Signs on; Supports Patient Safety Initiatives

ASCP signed on to letters supporting the development and passage of patient
safety legislation in June. Addressed to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist
and House Majority Leader Dennis Hastert, the letters urge the leaders to
base their work on the national patient safety issue on the AMA's five
General Principles for Patient Safety Reporting Systems (which include
suggestions for creating an environment for safety and for addressing data
analysis, confidentiality, and information sharing issues) in mind. The
letters were dated June 7, 2005.

In other patient safety news, JCAHO plans to expand its National Patient
Safety Goals for the clinical laboratories it accredits in its fourth set of
published goals set to be released in 2006. One of the more specific goal
changes addresses creating a means for patients to report concerns about
safety and encourage them to do so. The expanded goals also include
standards meant to improve communications between caregivers, standardizing
the "hand-off" of patients between caregivers, and encouraging patients to
have a more active role in their care.

Detailed descriptions of the new goals can be accessed by visiting the JCAHO
website:
http://www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/patient+safety/npsg.htm

http://www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/patient+safety/06_npsg/06_npsg
_lab.htm

2006 Laboratory Services National Patient Safety Goals


Note: New Goals and Requirements are indicated in bold.

Goal 1 Improve the accuracy of patient identification.

1A Use at least two patient identifiers (neither to be the
patient's location) whenever collecting laboratory samples or administering
medications or blood products, and use two identifiers to label sample
collection containers in the presence of the patient. Processes are
established to maintain samples’ identity throughout the pre-analytical,
analytical and post-analytical processes.

1B Immediately prior to the start of any invasive procedure,
conduct a final verification process to confirm the correct patient,
procedure, site, and availability of appropriate documents. This
verification process uses active—not passive—communication techniques. The
patient’s identity is re-established if the practitioner leaves the patient’
s location prior to initiating the procedure. Marking the site is required
unless the practitioner is in continuous attendance from the time of the
decision to do the procedure and patient consent to the initiation of the
procedure (for example, bone marrow collection, or fine needle aspiration).


Goal 2 Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.

2A For verbal or telephone orders or for telephonic reporting
of critical test results, verify the complete order or test result by having
the person receiving the order or test result "read-back" the complete order
or test result.

2B Standardize a list of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols
that are not to be used throughout the organization.

2C Measure, assess and, if appropriate, take action to improve
the timeliness of reporting, and the timeliness of receipt by the
responsible licensed caregiver, of critical test results and values.

2D All values defined as critical by the laboratory are
reported directly to a responsible licensed caregiver within time frames
established by the laboratory (defined in cooperation with nursing and
medical staff). When the patient’s responsible licensed caregiver is not
available within the time frames, there is a mechanism to report the
critical information to an alternative responsible caregiver.

2E Implement a standardized approach to “hand off”
communications, including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions.

Goal 3 Not applicable.

Goal 4 Not applicable.

Goal 5 Not applicable. (Retired in 2006.)

Goal 6 Not applicable.

Goal 7 Reduce the risk of health care-associated infections.

7A Comply with current Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) hand hygiene guidelines.

7B Manage as sentinel events all identified cases of
unanticipated death or major permanent loss of function associated with a
health care-associated infection.

Goal 8 Not applicable.

Goal 9 Not applicable.

Goal 10 Not applicable.

Goal 11 Not applicable.

Goal 12 Not applicable.

Goal 13 Encourage the active involvement of patients and their families
in the patient’s care as a patient safety strategy.

13A Define and communicate the means for patients and their
families to report concerns about safety and encourage them to do so.

Goal 14 Not applicable.