September 17 is World Patient Safety Day! This year, the theme is “Improving Diagnosis For Patient Safety” with the slogan “Get It Right, Make It Safe!” – highlighting the critical importance of correct and timely diagnosis in ensuring patient safety and improving health outcomes.
A diagnosis identifies a patient’s health problem and is a key to accessing the care and treatment they need. Keeping diagnostic excellence integral to daily practice is crucial. Best practice includes:
1. Focus on the person at the centre of the diagnosis:
- Listen to the patient, ask them about their concerns and ensure the interventions meet their needs.
- Take a careful and thorough history and physical examination of your patient.
- Talk openly and empathetically with your patients and encourage them to ask questions
2. Using all available technology, tools, and tests to reach a diagnosis.
4. Working with the multidisciplinary team and ensuring information is shared in a timely manner, with good record keeping.
4. Keep on learning. Participate in regular training and seek feedback from your peers and patients.
How is Spectrum supporting patient safety?
- Spectrum continues to follow and implement our Patient Safety Strategy. This is closely aligned to the NHS patient safety strategy.
- Introduction of the “Patient Safety Incident Response Framework”
- Introduction of the “Managing of Complaints” policy
- Introduction of “Learning from Patient Safety Events” (LFPSE)
- Introduction of a new “Clinical Governance and Quality Improvement Model”
