Patient Safety and Disaster Definition

The absence of preventable harm to a patient and reduction of risks of unnecessary harm associated with health care to an acceptable minimum. It's a framework of activities that create cultures, processes, procedures, behaviors, technologies and environments in health care that consistently and sustainably lower risks, reduce the occurrence of avoidable harm, make errors less likely, and reduce the impact of harm when it does occur.

Practices that reduce the risk of adverse events related to exposure to medical care across a range of diagnoses or conditions.

The impact and severity of a process of care failure resulting in temporary or permanent impairment of physical or psychological body functions or structure.

A serious disruption in the functioning of the community or a society causing widespread material, economic, social or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources.

Something that may cause harm or injury. Examples include working at heights, slippery floors, electric energy, excessive noise, toxic or flammable substances.

The likelihood that a hazard will cause specific harm or injury to persons or damage to property. It's the combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm.

Activities that eliminate or reduce the probability of a disaster occurring.

Activities designed to reduce the effects of a disaster.

Actions that decrease the likelihood of an emergency occurring.

Actions that reduce loss of life or property damage for events that can't be prevented.

Reducing the severity of damage caused by a disaster.

Ensuring human actions or natural phenomena do not lead to disasters

Preventing the risk of an event happening by removing the hazard or vulnerability.

Reducing vulnerability to hazards by improving health and environment.

A system for controlling activities or processes using rules.

A set of procedures outlining how work should be done, often with specific rules and policies.

The highest level of emergency in a hospital, indicating the presence of fire or smoke.

A hospital's emergency procedure to respond to a fire, involving four steps: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.

A situation outside the hospital resulting in a large influx of patients to the emergency department, often due to natural disasters or accidents.

A situation involving the disappearance or suspected kidnapping of a child within a hospital.

The release of a dangerous chemical, requiring immediate action to contain and neutralize the hazard.

An incident involving violence, threats, or weapon use within a hospital, demanding immediate action and security measures.

A classification system for patients during a medical emergency, based on their condition and ability to move.

A nursing specialty focused on providing immediate medical care to prevent long-term complications or death.

Actions taken to lessen the negative impact of a disaster or hazard, such as providing emergency services, immunization, and clean water.

Actions taken to reduce the likelihood of a disaster or hazard occurring, such as implementing building codes and promoting flood plain awareness.

Physical changes or structures that protect against disasters. Examples include: storm shelters, flood walls, fortified buildings.

Actions individuals take to prepare for and protect themselves from disasters. Examples include: having an emergency kit, knowing evacuation routes, participating in preparedness training.

Government policies and regulations that aim to reduce disaster risks. Examples include: zoning laws restricting development in flood zones, building codes requiring earthquake-resistant construction.

Modifications to buildings or structures to make them more disaster-resistant. Examples: strengthening roof structures to withstand hurricanes, installing fire sprinklers in buildings.

Educating people about hazards and how to mitigate them. Examples: public awareness campaigns, community meetings, disaster preparedness workshops.

Actions to minimize damage from disasters and preserve the environment. Examples: protecting mangroves to reduce storm surges, restoring wetlands to reduce flooding.

Actions taken to save lives and property during and after disasters. Examples: Search and rescue, medical care, providing shelter and food to victims.

Construction projects designed to reduce the impact of disaster hazards. Examples: building levees along rivers, constructing earthquake-resistant bridges.