O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 7
O c t o b e r 2 0 1 5 | w w w . o u t p a t i e n t s u r g e r y . n e t
S t a f f & P a t i e n t S a f e t y
C O N T E N T S
8 MH Drills Can Be a Real Life Saver
My son is alive today because the
surgical team did everything right.
Kim Scott, RN, MSN
14 Do You Have a Culture of Safety?
Experts weigh in on why changing the
environment of your OR is difficult, but essential.
Kendal Gapinski | Associate Editor
22 5 Truths About Wrong-Site Surgery
In order to prevent the "never event,"
you need to understand what's causing it.
Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM
27 Reduce the Risk of Surgical Smoke
It's time to take ownership in
protecting yourself from potential harm.
Stacey Benson, PhD
34 Best Practices in Drug Safety
Expert advice on proper
medication storage, security and labeling.
Richard Novak, MD
41 Are You Warming Patients Safely?
Here's what you might be
doing wrong — and how to fix it.
Victoria Steelman, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN
50 3 Patient Positioning Pointers
The OR table can be a dangerous place for
patients — don't let nerve damage and skin
injuries mar your surgical outcomes.
David Bernard | Senior Associate Editor
55 How to Conduct a Safety Sharps Trial
Yes, you can get your docs to (at least)
trial and (possibly) use safety sharps.
Kristin L. Thompson, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
63 Are Your ORs Obstacle Courses?
Take the necessary steps
to reduce risks of slips, trips and falls.
Dondee Halverson, RN
69 New Thoughts on Radiation Safety
A review of the literature
adds clarity to the big picture.
Byron L. Burlingame, MS, RN, CNOR
74 A Better Way to Eliminate
Retained Surgical Items
Accounting, not counting,
will ensure no sponges are left behind.
Verna C. Gibbs, MD
80 The Constant Quest for Zero
Q&A with Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM,
the anesthesiologist and critical care physician
who's dedicated to improving patient safety.
27
M a n a g e r ' s G u i d e t o
To Our Readers
Surgery is inherently risky, but it doesn't have to be dangerous. The
Manager's Guide to Staff & Patient Safety is our annual look at proven ways
to lower risks of surgical complications and workplace injuries. We hope you use the expert advice and practical tips in the fol-
lowing pages to protect the patients who trust you with their care and the dedicated healthcare professionals who put them-
selves in harm's way while focusing on the well being of others.
Cover design by Ethan Anderson | Photo by Kim Scott, RN, MSN
