Patients usually trust their doctors to give the best treatment as well as restore their health. Therefore it is the duty of the medical staff and doctors to serve the patients with total dedication so that they can recover at the earliest possible time and get their health problems treated to best possible level. The safety of patients is vital since it can make the difference between death and life. The slightest mistake on behalf of the medical staff will jeopardize the life of a patient, but a few safety precautions may save their lives and take them on the road to recovery. The following are some ways to improve the safety of patients:
Take care of hand hygiene
It is vital for medical staff and doctors to ensure they follow the rules of hand hygiene to the latter. Washing the hands regularly and using sanitizers are the best ways of enhancing the safety of patients by preventing the spread of infections. Using alcohol-based hand gloves and rubs by doctors and nurses is also encouraged.
Preventing blood related central line
The risk of any blood infections related central line should be minimized by taking precautions like caps, gloves, masks, and gowns to be worn by doctors and medical staff. A full body drape on patient also helps to prevent this. The skin needs to be cleaned with chlorhexidine and the unnecessary catheters be removed.
Awareness of drug abbreviations
It is important for medical staff to be aware of drug abbreviations since even a slight misrepresentation can compromise the safety and the life of a patient.
Real-time ultrasonography should be used to place central lines
Another great way in which a patient’s safety can be enhanced is by using real-time ultrasonography to place central lines correctly. This will help the healthcare practitioner place the central lines at the correct spot during the first attempt hence minimizing chances of infections.
Using barrier precautions to prevent transmission of infection
Besides looking after the hygiene of the hands, it is also important to ensure you use barrier precautions to prevent the spread infections. These barrier precautions include gowns, masks, and gloves. Also using equipment that is disposable makes the patient safe from any infection.
It is important that patients remain safe while undergoing treatment in a hospital or being attended by a doctor. These ways will help ensure that patients are safe while in the hands of doctors and medical staff and are treated well.