F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 6 7
T
he
inher-
ent
chal-
lenge of
providing safe surgi-
cal care increases in
the fast-paced, pres-
sure-cooker world of
outpatient surgery,
where the thin line
between expected
outcomes and
adverse events can be erased with a split-second lack of focus, com-
munication failure or honest mistake.
To find out what products and technologies facilities are using to
support surgical teams in their efforts to first do no harm, we asked
readers to share which safety-minded solutions are found in their ORs
and reprocessing rooms. Here's what they identified as essential tools
in their continuing efforts to protect patients from preventable harm.
• Non-invasive monitoring. Pulse oximetry and capnography moni-
tors are invaluable adjuncts to basic vital signs monitoring, according
to Mike Morel, CRNA, APRN, MSNA, PhD(c), co-chief of anesthesia at
Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin, Tenn. Capnography meas-
ures end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) — the concentration of CO2 in
exhaled breaths — to help providers confirm oxygen exchange is
Daniel Cook | Editor-in-Chief
How Do You Enhance Patient Safety?
Readers reveal the solutions they use to augment
the efforts of their protective-minded surgical teams.
• FIRST, DO NO HARM New products and technologies can help your staff deliver on
their pledge to provide safe patient care.
