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Patient Safety
Audit Project Management
Patient Safety Project
Management Services
Bernstein & Associates, Architects works with health
care institutions to maximize patient safety through
thoughtful planning, design and details. Amongst the
patient safety programs we have pioneered are :
Psychiatric Safety Audits:
Our team of psychiatric design experts has completed
(30) "Psychiatric Patient Safety Audits", for facilities
in (12) states. These audits are often performed after
there has been a patient incident in a hospital or
psychiatric institution, but it is always recommended
that facilities housing psychiatric patients be
pro-active, and procure this patient-safety focused
audit before there is a patient incident.
Our "Psychiatric Patient Safety Audits" includes a basic
checklist of (68) psychiatric patient-safety focused
items but it expands and contracts depending on the type
and combinations of patient populations and whether it
is private, public, freestanding or part of a med/surg
facility. The number of variables that need to be
considered vary widely with the nature and culture of
the organization as well as the age, diagnosis, medical
issues and many other aspects of the patients
themselves.
Bed Safety Assessment Programs :
In March 2006, the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services issued a report entitled: "Hospital Bed System
Dimensional and Assessment Guidance to Reduce
Entrapment".
The report addresses potential injuries and fatalities
resulting from patients in a health care setting
becoming entrapped in hospital beds. Over a period of 21
years (through January of this year), the FDA received
691 entrapment reports, in which 413 people died, 120
were injured and 158 were near-miss events with no
serious injury as a result of intervention.
The report notes that entrapment events have occurred in
"openings within the bed rails, between the bed rails
and mattresses, under bed rails, between split rails,
and between the bed rails and head or foot boards".
Not all patients are equally vulnerable. The report
cites the population most vulnerable to entrapment as :
"elderly patients and residents, especially those who
are frail, confused, restless, or who have uncontrolled
body movement."
Entrapments occurred in a variety of patient care
settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and
private homes.
The report provides details on potential zones of
entrapment, as well as minimum dimensions to prevent
entrapment.
*Bernstein & Assoc., Architects* has reviewed this
report in detail, and can provide "Bed Safety Assessment
Programs" to health care institutions looking to prevent
patient entrapment in hospital beds. Please contact our
office for further details.
Psychiatric Facility Design Services:
Hospital Bed Safety Assessment Programs
Patient Safety Assessment Programs
Psychiatric Patient Safety Audits
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