Have You Established a Culture of Safety?
Talk is cheap when it comes to protecting patients and staff from harm.
S
afety Culture is a
phrase that's noted
in clinical studies,
preached from conference
podiums and discussed dur-
ing online webinars. But
what does that concept
look and feel like on a daily
basis in your facility and
among your staff? Start
with this: One person's atti-
tude is an opinion.
Everybody's attitude is cul-
ture. You're ultimately
responsible for instilling
safety-minded core beliefs
in every member of your
patient care team, from pre-
op to PACU. Use these 5
tips to turn a safety catch
phrase into tangible
improvements in how your staff protects themselves and their
patients.
Set the tone
Integrate safety practices into daily work routines. Set aside paid
time to conduct educational sessions about how to implement best
practices in staff and patient safety. Get out from behind your desk to
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4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8
On Point
Elizabeth Wick, MD
• HEALTH CARE Staff need to look after their own well-being so they can
focus on safe patient care.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
