Patient Safety Goals for U.S. Labs Detailed for 2009

A 2009 update of a U.S. national patient safety goals report and related requirements for accredited laboratories, promote specific improvements in patient safety by providing healthcare organizations with proven solutions to persistent patient safety problems.

The Joint Commission (Oakbrook Terrace, IL, USA) announced the modification of The National Patient Safety Goals, which is overseen by the Sentinel Event Advisory Group, a panel that includes patient safety experts, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and risk managers, who have hands-on experience in addressing patient safety issues in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The goals apply to the more than 15,000 Joint Commission-accredited and -certified health care organizations and programs in the United States.

The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, it provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards setting and accrediting body in health care.

The guidelines include emphasis on correct identification of the patient, especially before invasive procedures; verification that the patient correctly receives all test results; communication between caregivers is improved; hand hygiene guidelines are monitored; and that the patient takes an active interest in his/her own care.

"The 2009 National Patient Safety Goals represent ongoing opportunities for improvement that can immediately benefit patients,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission. "By taking action to consistently meet the Goals, health care organizations can substantially improve patient safety in America.”

The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of healthcare accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in healthcare organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,300 other healthcare organizations that provide long-term care, assisted living, behavioral healthcare, laboratory, and ambulatory care services


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