Quality Improvement Projects to Improve Patient Safety and Outcomes

This article is an adaptation of an article was written about teaching quality improvement to clinicians. It focuses on Johns Hopkins’ efforts to improve the quality of the care their patients receive. I chose this article because of how it ties in with the video we watched. Romsai Boonysai, an internist at the Johns Hopkins Hospital co-wrote the original article.

One thing that really stood out in this article is that physicians are being trained in problem-solving diseases. When it comes to the health care system, they don’t identify with that aspect. I believe that while training clinicians in quality improvement is a great beginning, it’s not the only answer to the medical error problem. As pointed out in the article, a patient may receive excellent medical care, but if there is an error in the medical record, a sentinal event may occur. They also pointed out that if the person in charge of supplies mishandles an order, there could be a shortage and a patient would not receive crucial care. So, while the physician is responsible for the care of his/her patients, that care could be jeopardized by the actions or inactions of others. This makes me believe that anyone with job responsibilities that could affect a patient’s care should receive quality improvement training.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81686.php

Stopping Germs at Home, Work, and School

Since I am somewhat of a germ-o-phobe, this article really caught my attention. The main way illnesses are spread is through droplets that are sneezed or coughed by a sick person. If something these droplets have landed on are touched, those germs are transferred. Since some germs can live as much as 2 hours, it is very important to take measure to prevent the spread of germs. Some examples of prevention methods are:

· Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. The schools are now teaching children to cough or sneeze into their sleeves. This will prevent the germs from taking up residence on your hands.

· Clean your hands often. While you don’t have to be obsessive, regular hand washing drastically lower the spread of infections.

· Remind your children to practice healthy habits, too.

The general rule for handwashing is to wash them with soap and warm water. This should be done for around 15 seconds. Also, if it is not possible to wash your hands, use a hand wipe or hand sanitizer.

I am including some fast facts to stop the spread of germs in schools. While they may be meant for children in school, it can apply to college students, too.

Stop the Spread of Germs in Schools Fast Facts • Approximately 1/5 of the U.S. population attends or works in schools. (U.S. Dept of Ed, 1999). • Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. (Ansari, 1988; Scott and Bloomfield, 1989) • Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone. (CDC, 1996) • Addressing the spread of germs in schools is essential to the health of our youth, our schools, and our nation. • Students need to get plenty of sleep and physical activity, drink water, and eat good food to help them stay healthy in the winter and all year.