Often patients are placed on defined precautions when a risk has been identified. This includes fall, Pressure Injury, Sepsis precautions. However, are interventions with the precautions defined through Provider order, policy or protocol? Recently we’ve encountered orders for seizure and impulsivity precautions but there were no defined interventions. Review of the organization’s policies and nursing procedures manual did not reveal interventions. When asked separately about interventions, staff gave different interpretations of what these precautions meant. Without defined interventions, there is inconsistency in providing care with a risk that gaps may result in patient harm.
Organizations would be prudent in reviewing their various precaution orders to ensure that interventions are defined and communicated to staff to ensure standard work or the provision of one standard of care. Additionally, if patient condition requires modification of the interventions, these are indicated via order and acknowledged by staff. Some organizations have created order sets, either in digital or hardcopy format, that permit a provider to select those interventions necessary to provide safe care and customize, or individualize, as necessary to reflect the patient’s condition or risk.
Providing care to patients to ensure their safety requires clear understanding of all aspects of care and that healthcare teams communicate to ensure that these interventions are well understood.
Please contact us for questions or more information at 704-573-4535 or info@courtemanche-assocs.com.
Courtemanche & Associates specializes in Healthcare Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance Consulting Services. With over 30 years of being in business and 100+ years of healthcare experience amongst our consulting team, we are ready to assist with your accreditation and regulatory compliance needs.