Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Nurses see red to cut drug errors

Staff at a Scottish hospital are testing out a simple idea to reduce the number of mistakes made when making up patients' drugs.
Nurses in charge of the drugs round at Gartnavel hospital in Glasgow wear red tabards when dispensing drugs.
Staff and patients on two wards at the hospital are told not to speak to them when they have got the garments on.
Nurses said the idea stopped constant interruptions and has proved a success with staff.

MAYBE THIS IDEA COULD BE USED HERE AND EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS TO REDUCE ERRORS?
WHERE DISTURBING AN OPERATIVE WHILE THEY ARE CARRYING OUT A PROCESS COULD CAUSE AN ERROR AND POSSIBLITY OF DEATH, NEEDS A LOOK AT BY RISK MANAGERS...........GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO FOR A CHANGE.....