the weekly source for radiology professionals

Joint Commission

This month the Joint Commission posted the 2009 National Patient Safety Goals. These goals are typically updated on the Web site each July and provide all accredited sites an opportunity to ensure they are in compliance with these guidelines. At Children's Healthcare of Atlanta we pay close attention to the goals and the focus on medication reconciliation, time out and infection control--just to name a few. Pay special attention to the information regarding time out--it's not just for invasive procedures anymore and medication reconciliation--many key steps to follow.

Joint Commission

The Joint Commission requires a time out be performed prior to the initiation of moderate to deep sedation. The nurse or tech must initiates the time out process with all sedation caregivers present. The staff member then reviews the following items with all sedation staff: correct patient, correct side/site, correct procedure, correct patient position, correct equipment and supplies, agreement or consent for procedure obtained and then ensures that all staff participating is documented. This process is key to improving patient safety by ensuring we are performing sedation correctly and on the correct patient. If your site is not performing time out for sedations then please refer to the Joint Commission Standard UP Requirement 1C, EP2.

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