Patient Safety

World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) highlighted that patient safety, is an important principle of health care. Hazards to patient safety occur when there is a discrepancy between a given patient and components of their care, whether these components are investigative, therapeutic or ancillary. The Joint Commission International Patient Safety Goal (IPSG, 2013) standards first objective means to enhance the precision of patient using so as to distinguish proof no less than two patient identifiers when providing care, treatment, and administrations. In this essay, it will address issues on a case scenario of a patient misidentification, consequences and factors affecting errors, and efforts to reduce errors.

It was 7.15 a.m.; a newly

Patients with similar names staying in the same ward present an exceptional task to health-care settings. If I am in this situation, as newly graduated nurse deployed to another ward, I will look for a more familiar nurse for a proper report of the patients, orientation with the environment that is under my care. By understanding Singapore Nursing Board (SNB, 1999) code of ethics and professional conduct value statement 1 expresses that the nurse shall involve patient participation in the preparation and distribution of care. Stay focus and pay attention to details and avoid distraction when performing procedures to avoid careless mistakes. Lippi et al. stated that in any misleadingly assumed cases not promptly identified can produce serious harm to patients. In addition to SNB code of ethics, value statement 5, ensure that the safety of their patients is not put at risk by the commission or omission of any nursing care activity. Specifically in identifying patients and distinguishing the identity of patients with the same name. It is to ensure accurate identification in identifying the individual as the person for the treatment is intended of care. From this experience I understand that, it is essential to utilize two- patient identifier according to the standards and policies of the hospital. Secondly, by asking an open-ended question active communication whenever possible and ask the patient to state his or her full name and date of birth of the individual is to ensure the safety of individuals during their care, including prevention of medication, diagnostic and treatment errors. IPSG, states that by utilizing a two patient- identifier, facilitates patient participation. Thus, in an open-ended inquiry active communication possibly by requesting patient to state his or her full