In this blog, we are sharing the key findings on safety incident reporting in care homes in a paper published by the Journal of Advanced Nursing. The study was a systematic review on the types of safety incidents, the processes and systems used for safety incident reporting in the care home sector.
The nursing home sector plays a vital role in caring for the aged and some of the most vulnerable groups in society. Healthcare needs of the elderly are rising and getting more complex, so is the focus on resident safety and quality of care. Incident reporting is integral to ensuring safety and quality of care. Under-reporting of incidents in the nursing home sector, as revealed by some studies, is an area of concern.
Needlestick and sharps injury (NSI) is a serious occupational hazard and health concern. Healthcare workers (HCWs) who have frequent exposure to needles are at increased risk of NSIs. Sharps exposures can lead to serious or fatal infections with bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or HIV. Proper reporting and prevention strategies are crucial in mitigating these risks.
Open communication is critical in fostering a safety culture and a positive work environment in healthcare. In this blog, we look at the pivotal role of online incident reporting in fostering open communication and creating a culture of safety, transparency, active learning, and continuous improvement.
Pressure ulcers, also known as pressure injuries or bedsores, are a significant health issue. Pressure ulcers develop when there is constant pressure on a particular area of the skin, often from lying in the same position for too long without relief. The harm can vary in severity, from mild reddening of the skin to deep wounds that extend into the muscle and bone.
Medication error (ME) is a key patient safety concern and a leading cause of avoidable patient harm in healthcare systems. However, MEs often go undetected or underreported. Reporting MEs is crucial for patient safety and continuous quality improvement in all healthcare organizations.
Falls are a prevalent safety concern and a leading cause of injuries involving patients and long-term care residents. It leads to injuries, longer length of hospital stays, post-fall anxiety and financial burdens. According to JCI Sentinel Event database, inpatient falls with serious injuries accounted for 42% of total sentinel events reported in hospitals in 2022.
Our recent survey on workplace safety and health (WSH) in the healthcare sector found: There is heightened awareness of WSH in the healthcare sector, but barriers to reporting workplace incidents and hazards remain a challenge. Fear of punitive actions and heavy workload are the main reasons healthcare employees are not reporting WSH incidents and hazards.
Near miss reporting plays a crucial role in ensuring patient safety within healthcare settings. It allows healthcare professionals to identify
Unsafe medication practices and medication errors are one of the leading causes of injury and preventable harm in healthcare systems across the world.