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National Patient Safety Goals Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
Question: Introduction
Ans: In view of recent studies that have shown an alarming number of medical
errors in the United States, causing thousands of unnecessary injuries and
deaths, the Joint Commission has developed an evolving set of patient safety
initiatives to address some of these problems.
The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) consists of
specific patient safety goals and descriptive measures to meet these goals.
These goals apply to all Joint Commission-accredited institutions.
This program will discuss the Joint Commission's current patient safety goals,
the requirements that are mandated to meet those goals and the Elements of
Performance that have been identified as methods to meet each requirement.
In addition to these goals, we will also describe the Joint Commission's
Universal Protocol for preventing wrong-site surgery
Question: Safety Goals
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Ans: Before discussing the patient safety goals and elements of performance
to meet those goals, it is important to note that the Joint Commission has
developed goals for the variety of patient care settings and programs it
accredits—including home care agencies, laboratories, and ambulatory surgi-
centers—not just acute care hospitals. Therefore, it is important to be aware
of the specific goals that apply to your facility.
Question: Improve the Accuracy of Patient Identification
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Ans: Use two forms of identification
The first goal is to improve the accuracy of patient identification. You should
use at least two forms of patient identification every time you administer
medications or blood products, take blood samples, or perform treatments
and procedures. If the patient has a wristband, acceptable identifiers include
name, ID number, or barcode if the barcode itself includes two patient-specific
identifiers. The room number is never an acceptable patient identifier.
The Patient Safety Goals identify that newborn patients are at greater risk of
misidentification. Examples of methods to prevent misidentification of
newborn patients can include:
Using distinct naming systems to include the mother's first and last names
with the newborn's gender (for example: Wilson, Cathy Girl or Wilson, Cathy
Girl A and Wilson, Cathy Girl B for multiples)
Standardized practices for identification banding
Working with staff to communicate when newborns have similar names, etc.
In addition, all specimen containers should be labeled in the presence of the
patient.
Question: Improve the Effectiveness of Communication Among Caregivers
National Patient Safety Goals Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
Question: Introduction
Ans: In view of recent studies that have shown an alarming number of medical
errors in the United States, causing thousands of unnecessary injuries and
deaths, the Joint Commission has developed an evolving set of patient safety
initiatives to address some of these problems.
The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) consists of
specific patient safety goals and descriptive measures to meet these goals.
These goals apply to all Joint Commission-accredited institutions.
This program will discuss the Joint Commission's current patient safety goals,
the requirements that are mandated to meet those goals and the Elements of
Performance that have been identified as methods to meet each requirement.
In addition to these goals, we will also describe the Joint Commission's
Universal Protocol for preventing wrong-site surgery
Question: Safety Goals
, Page | 2
Ans: Before discussing the patient safety goals and elements of performance
to meet those goals, it is important to note that the Joint Commission has
developed goals for the variety of patient care settings and programs it
accredits—including home care agencies, laboratories, and ambulatory surgi-
centers—not just acute care hospitals. Therefore, it is important to be aware
of the specific goals that apply to your facility.
Question: Improve the Accuracy of Patient Identification
, Page | 3
Ans: Use two forms of identification
The first goal is to improve the accuracy of patient identification. You should
use at least two forms of patient identification every time you administer
medications or blood products, take blood samples, or perform treatments
and procedures. If the patient has a wristband, acceptable identifiers include
name, ID number, or barcode if the barcode itself includes two patient-specific
identifiers. The room number is never an acceptable patient identifier.
The Patient Safety Goals identify that newborn patients are at greater risk of
misidentification. Examples of methods to prevent misidentification of
newborn patients can include:
Using distinct naming systems to include the mother's first and last names
with the newborn's gender (for example: Wilson, Cathy Girl or Wilson, Cathy
Girl A and Wilson, Cathy Girl B for multiples)
Standardized practices for identification banding
Working with staff to communicate when newborns have similar names, etc.
In addition, all specimen containers should be labeled in the presence of the
patient.
Question: Improve the Effectiveness of Communication Among Caregivers
