12-Patient Safety

Unnecessary medical care contributes to excessive healthcare spending. This can include overprescribing medications, ordering too many tests, and performing unnecessary procedures.

A significant portion of unnecessary medical spending is attributed to prescription medications, with approximately 22% falling into this category.

Medical tests represent another significant portion of unnecessary medical spending, accounting for about 25% of the total.

Surgical procedures contribute to unnecessary medical spending, comprising around 11% of the total.

High-reliability organizations are systems that perform complex tasks with a high degree of safety and reliability, even in challenging environments.

The Normal Accident Theory suggests that complex systems are prone to unexpected failures due to the interaction of multiple factors and latent conditions.

High-reliability organizations prioritize a culture of safety, which emphasizes prevention and risk mitigation.

The Donabedian model helps to improve healthcare quality by identifying and addressing factors that influence patient outcomes, such as changes in organizational structures, processes, and outcomes.

A rare but life-threatening condition where a hole forms between the trachea and the innominate artery, usually due to trauma or surgery, with a high mortality rate.

A procedure where a tube is inserted through the chest wall to drain fluid or air from the pleural space.

Placement of a feeding tube into the stomach through a small incision in the abdomen.

A procedure where a small sample of tissue is removed for examination.

A type of biopsy where tissue is removed from lymph nodes to check for infection or cancer.

A condition where the intestinal muscles don't work properly, causing a blockage.

When a patient has a blocked airway, often due to a lack of proper breathing techniques after surgery.

A serious complication that happens when something gets into the lungs, like food or vomit.

The most common type of infection in patients who need a breathing machine.

A condition where tissues in the body lack blood supply, often due to pressure from swelling.

A complication of neck surgery where blood collects in the neck, potentially leading to airway obstruction.

A type of respiratory complication that occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, collapsing the lung.

A condition characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood, often associated with thyroid and parathyroid gland surgery.

A common cardiac complication after surgery, characterized by irregular heart rhythm.

A surgical approach to remove the esophagus that involves a chest incision and splitting the chest bone.

A critical step before surgery where all team members confirm patient identity, procedure, and location to prevent errors.

Lack of readily available information about patient safety and harm in healthcare, leading to outdated practices. It contributes to a significant portion of adverse events in surgical care.

The area of medical practice that focuses on preventing and managing risks associated with patient care.

The ability to communicate effectively between healthcare professionals plays a crucial role in mitigating risk. Good communication leads to a more positive patient experience, while poor communication can increase the likelihood of misunderstandings and litigation.

The most crucial factor in building a positive and trusting relationship with a patient, leading to a more collaborative and less litigious experience.

Complications are the side effects or unwanted outcomes that can potentially occur during or after medical procedures.

A specialized surgical technique where a surgeon uses robotic instruments to perform complex procedures. While it offers advantages like precision and minimally invasive access, it comes with inherent risks related to the technology and expertise required to operate it.

Procedures involving insertion of central venous access catheters, arterial lines, tracheostomies, endoscopies, and angiographies carry a higher risk of complications due to their invasive nature and potential for complications.

A specific type of complication that can occur during central venous catheter insertion, characterized by the entry of air into the bloodstream, potentially leading to serious complications like stroke or heart failure.

A complication that can occur during tracheostomy, a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the windpipe, characterized by damage to the inner layer of the artery wall.

A serious infection of the pleural space (the space between the lungs and the chest wall), often caused by bacteria or fungi. It can lead to lung collapse and breathing problems.

A severe bacterial infection that affects the deep tissues, particularly the fascia (the connective tissue that surrounds muscles). It can spread rapidly and cause significant damage, potentially leading to amputation or death.

An inflammatory response triggered by an infection, trauma, or other stressors. It can lead to a cascade of physiological changes, including fever, increased heart rate, and vascular dysfunction.

A complex and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's immune response to an infection becomes dysregulated, leading to organ damage. It can be caused by various infections, including pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis.

A serious complication of sepsis characterized by organ dysfunction in two or more organ systems. It is often associated with high mortality rates.