NPSG- Nursing: Enhancing Patient Safety Through
National Standards
This section focuses on the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs), highlighting
their rationale and application in nursing practice to improve patient safety.
1. Rationale for NPSG 6: Improve the Safety of Clinical Alarm Systems:
The fundamental reason for National Patient Safety Goal 6 is:
o To enhance patient safety by ensuring that clinical alarm systems
are effectively managed and responded to in a timely manner.
Poorly managed alarms can lead to missed critical events or alarm
fatigue, both of which jeopardize patient well-being.
2. Management of Indwelling Urinary Catheters (NPSGs): According to
the National Patient Safety Goals, the proper management of indwelling
urinary catheters should include:
o Securing catheters appropriately to prevent pulling and ensure
unobstructed urinary flow and drainage. This minimizes the risk of
trauma to the urethra and bladder, as well as preventing stasis of urine
which can lead to infection.
3. Scope of NPSG 7: Prevent Central Line-Associated Bloodstream
Infections (CLABSIs): The requirement to implement evidence-based
practices to prevent CLABSIs under National Patient Safety Goal 7 applies
to:
o All types of central venous catheters, both short-term and long-
term, as well as peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
lines. This comprehensive approach aims to reduce infection risks
associated with any central vascular access device.
, 4. Organization Responsible for Developing and Instituting NPSGs: The
National Patient Safety Goals are developed and instituted annually by:
o The Joint Commission. This independent, non-profit organization
accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States
and plays a key role in establishing patient safety standards.
5. Most Important Way to Address Healthcare-Associated Infections
(NPSGs): One of the MOST critical strategies to combat healthcare-
associated infections, as emphasized by the National Patient Safety Goals,
is:
o Improving the hand hygiene practices of all healthcare staff.
Consistent and proper hand hygiene is a primary measure to prevent
the transmission of pathogens.
6. Purpose of Universal Protocol (NPSGs): The Universal Protocol was
developed as an integral part of the National Patient Safety Goals to:
o Prevent wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong person surgery.
This protocol includes pre-procedure verification, site marking, and a
"time-out" immediately before the procedure.
7. NPSG for Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
(CAUTIs): The National Patient Safety Goal focused on preventing
indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) includes:
o Implementing evidence-based best practices to prevent the
development of indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract
infections. This encompasses a range of strategies aimed at reducing
the risk of CAUTI.
8. Evidence-Based Practice for CAUTI Prevention (NPSGs): Based on the
National Patient Safety Goals, an evidence-based practice or guideline to
prevent indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) is:
National Standards
This section focuses on the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs), highlighting
their rationale and application in nursing practice to improve patient safety.
1. Rationale for NPSG 6: Improve the Safety of Clinical Alarm Systems:
The fundamental reason for National Patient Safety Goal 6 is:
o To enhance patient safety by ensuring that clinical alarm systems
are effectively managed and responded to in a timely manner.
Poorly managed alarms can lead to missed critical events or alarm
fatigue, both of which jeopardize patient well-being.
2. Management of Indwelling Urinary Catheters (NPSGs): According to
the National Patient Safety Goals, the proper management of indwelling
urinary catheters should include:
o Securing catheters appropriately to prevent pulling and ensure
unobstructed urinary flow and drainage. This minimizes the risk of
trauma to the urethra and bladder, as well as preventing stasis of urine
which can lead to infection.
3. Scope of NPSG 7: Prevent Central Line-Associated Bloodstream
Infections (CLABSIs): The requirement to implement evidence-based
practices to prevent CLABSIs under National Patient Safety Goal 7 applies
to:
o All types of central venous catheters, both short-term and long-
term, as well as peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
lines. This comprehensive approach aims to reduce infection risks
associated with any central vascular access device.
, 4. Organization Responsible for Developing and Instituting NPSGs: The
National Patient Safety Goals are developed and instituted annually by:
o The Joint Commission. This independent, non-profit organization
accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States
and plays a key role in establishing patient safety standards.
5. Most Important Way to Address Healthcare-Associated Infections
(NPSGs): One of the MOST critical strategies to combat healthcare-
associated infections, as emphasized by the National Patient Safety Goals,
is:
o Improving the hand hygiene practices of all healthcare staff.
Consistent and proper hand hygiene is a primary measure to prevent
the transmission of pathogens.
6. Purpose of Universal Protocol (NPSGs): The Universal Protocol was
developed as an integral part of the National Patient Safety Goals to:
o Prevent wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong person surgery.
This protocol includes pre-procedure verification, site marking, and a
"time-out" immediately before the procedure.
7. NPSG for Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
(CAUTIs): The National Patient Safety Goal focused on preventing
indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) includes:
o Implementing evidence-based best practices to prevent the
development of indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract
infections. This encompasses a range of strategies aimed at reducing
the risk of CAUTI.
8. Evidence-Based Practice for CAUTI Prevention (NPSGs): Based on the
National Patient Safety Goals, an evidence-based practice or guideline to
prevent indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) is:
