Let's finish with the phrase "This has always been done like this"

Mònica Almiñana



There are more and more voices defending that our current model of health care ought to improve and that, if we don’t change it, it will change us.

But, to achieve this change, we need foundations from which to build upon. In my opinion, undoubtedly, there are three essential levers for this transformation: data intelligence (big data), patient safety and patient experience. The three are increasingly interrelated, and if not, read the report presented this year by the ECRI Institute: "Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2018".

The ECRI Institute is a US organization that since 2009 collects the adverse effects reported by various health organizations. This report is based on more than two million notifications, which guarantees that the data is reliable.

It contains the ten most important topics related to patient safety:

1. Diagnostic errors
2. Safety of opioid during the continuum of care
3. Coordination of assistance teams
4. Alternative solutions
5. ICT in clinical safety
6. Handling of behavioural needs in critical units
7. Emergencies and disasters
8. Cleaning and sterilization protocols
9. Patient literacy in the medical environment
10. Leadership involved in patient safety

I will focus on those aspects that have to do with how to organize ourselves in hospitals and with patients. But I recommend reading the report; the executive summary is very pleasant and brief.

This report explains that a large part of diagnostic errors, medication errors, lack of follow-up or delays are communication errors between professionals and failures produced by the organization's own idiosyncrasies (coordination).

We know that in our organizations there are too many alternative solutions to common problems. These "fixes" don’t allow us to focus on the real problem and look for better solutions. It’s the responsibility of the organization to know how to create an adequate environment, not punitive, where professionals can openly speak and the phrase "It’s always been done this way" can disappear. The report also points out that ICT should focus on surveillance of patient safety.

In my previous articles, together with other colleagues of this blog, we have already exposed the importance of health organizations increasingly involving patients and their families in their care. But, as the ECRI Institute states in its report, we are not doing it all right. We should make sure that patients understand what we say to them, that is why they warn that we should teach and communicate better and do it in a planned and appropriate way to each one of them.

In this sense, the governing bodies have to put the safety of the patient in their agenda and must be integrated into the organization and reach the first and latest professionals involved.

Ah, I forgot, and prepare for catastrophes. If they are ready, when they arrive, they will do much better. In this globalized world in which we live, sooner or later we will experience one.

In short, three major subjects that have to do, and much, with the improvement of patient safety: communication between people, the patient himself and the idiosyncrasies of organizations.

Let's get down to work, because this only depends on us.