To Formulate a Selective Patient Safety-related Policy for a Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT Patient safety is the absence of preventable harm to a patient during the process of healthcare (WHO). Accuracy of patient identification remains a priority focus of healthcare organization. Identifying patients accurately presents many unique challenges in today's healthcare settings. We need to understand how human factors can be used to reduce adverse events. Using a human factor approach, the human system interface can be improved by providing better designed system and processes. This involves simplifying processes, standardizing procedures, providing back up when human fails, improving communication, redesigning equipment and engendering a consciousness of behavioral organization and technological limitation that lead to error. The above study was an initiative toward simplifying processes and standardizing procedures. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between April to August 2013. The tool used was a check list made after an exhaustive review of literature and validated by experts in quality assurance from NABH accredited private hospitals. The study population of 100 people which included doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and quality managers of tertiary care public and private hospitals were approached for interaction against the back drop of the check list. Response rate was 61%. Policy was framed after incorporating inputs from responses received against the back drop of the check list. How to cite this article Singh S, Gupta SK, Arya S, Aggarwal V. To Formulate a Selective Patient Safety-related Policy for a Tertiary Care Hospital. Int J Res Foundation Hosp Healthc Adm 2014;2(2):94-102.