Quality Quarterly
Quality & Infection Prevention Resources
Quality Question: WHAT IS 5S?!!
5S Reduces Searching
5S Improves Patient Safety
5S Improves Patient Flow
KNOWN PATIENT SAFETY CONCERNS
Rounding with purpose
- Crash Carts, (expired meds, blades peel-packed, documented daily checks)
- Patient Falls: identify true HIGH-RISK patients
- Oxygen Christmas trees (nipple nuts) are single patient use- Do you have them stocked and available in your department?
- Broken equipment process
- Cardboard boxes, proper storage, etc.
- Medication reconciliation process
Work with your department leader to improve these processes. The Quality team will conduct audit checks on your processes to make sure they are working as they should.
Did you know these DNV Definitions?
Definitions of the categories of "Findings"
Major non conformity (category 1)
There are multiple reasons for a major (category 1) non-conformity
The absence of one or more required system elements or a situation which raises significant doubt that products or services will meet specified requirements.
A group of category 2 non-conformities indicating inadequate implementation or effectiveness of the system relevant to an element of the standard.
A category 2 non-conformity that is persistent (or not corrected as agreed by the organization) shall be up-graded to category 1.
Minor non conformity (category 2)
A single system failure or lapse in conformance with a procedure relating to the applicable standard is called a minor (category 2) non-conformity. This failure has no impact in the working of the system or in meeting the requirements for the product or service.
Opportunity for improvement
An opportunity for improvement will be issued if the process meets the minimum requirements, but the process can be improved. An opportunity for improvement in most times is system or process related and is based on the experience and knowledge of the auditor. Or it is best practice within the sector or organization that has been audited.
Noteworthy effort
A noteworthy effort will be reported as a positive finding. A noteworthy effort can be an improvement compared to the previous audit, or processes that perform better than expected, e.g. best practice.
Bug of the Month!
Some think I'm scarier than COVID-19
You may have already guessed who I am just by my photo. I am almost as famous as that spikey little ball that’s caused so much misery in the world. The element of suspense works differently in different murder stories, and I am a murderer; my mortality rates are anywhere from 30%-60%. The suspense in my story involves whether you’ll ever find an effective way to thwart me. So pay attention, even if you’ve already guessed who I am.
I am relatively new on the scene. I was first detected in Japan in 2009. Since then, I’ve been spotted in about 40 countries, including the United States, where I popped up in 2015.
I am a species that grows as yeast and can resist the antifungals that are thrown at me. In fact, some of my strains can resist all 3 classes of antifungals. Such a strain appeared in 2021 in Washington, DC, and Texas.
I’m sneaky. The CDC warns that I’ll evade standard laboratory methods in most hospitals. In fact, many labs often misidentify me, which sets the stage for inappropriate treatment.
I can cause bloodstream infections and even death, particularly in hospital and nursing home patients with serious medical problems. 1 in 3 patients die. The most common symptoms are fever and chills that do not improve after antibiotic treatment. I can spread through contact with affected patients and contaminated surfaces or equipment. Good hand hygiene and cleaning are important because I can live on surfaces for several weeks.
Although I am still rare in the United States, people who get infections from me are often already sick from other medical conditions. Only a laboratory test can diagnose me…. WHO I AM?
ANSWER: Candida auris
For more information, please visit cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/c-auris drug-resistant.html
Reference: Retrieved from www.infectioncontroltoday.com 01/31/22
Want to know more?
Email: qualitydepartment@hphtx.org
Location: 333 North Texas Avenue, Webster, TX, USA
Phone: 281-557-2887