Medical Safety & Global Health
Open Access

The Significance of Patient Safety in Healthcare Systems: A Perception from Health Care Professionals

Paola Mhairi^{* *}Correspondence: Paola Mhairi, Department of Health Care Systems, Chuka University, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, Email:

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Description

Patient safety is a critical aspect of healthcare that encompasses various measures and strategies aimed at minimizing the risk of harm to patients during the course of receiving medical care. It is a fundamental right of every patient to receive safe, effective, and high-quality care, regardless of their demographic, social, or economic status.

Patient safety involves the prevention and management of medical errors, adverse events, and harm that can arise from healthcare interventions. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines patient safety as the "absence of preventable harm to a patient during the process of healthcare, and reduction of risk of unnecessary harm associated with healthcare to an acceptable minimum."

The significance of patient safety is evident from the growing number of initiatives, guidelines, and regulations aimed at improving it across the healthcare sector. Healthcare organizations, policymakers, and regulatory bodies around the world have prioritized patient safety as a key component of healthcare delivery.

One of the essential strategies for ensuring patient safety is the implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols. These are evidence-based recommendations that healthcare professionals can use to guide their decision-making and clinical practice. Clinical guidelines can help standardize care, reduce variability, and promote best practices that have been shown to improve patient outcomes.

Another critical aspect of patient safety is the effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients. Patients have the right to be informed about their diagnosis, treatment options, and potential risks and benefits. Healthcare professionals must communicate this information clearly and comprehensively, taking into account patients' individual needs and preferences. Patient safety also involves the appropriate use of technology in healthcare delivery. Electronic health records, digital imaging, and telemedicine are examples of technologies that can improve patient outcomes, reduce medical errors, and enhance communication between healthcare professionals. However, the implementation of technology must be carefully planned and executed to avoid unintended consequences or adverse events. Patient safety is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a systems-based approach.

It involves the collaboration of various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, families, policymakers, and regulatory bodies. The development of a safety culture that values open communication, transparency, and continuous improvement is essential for promoting patient safety.

In conclusion, patient safety is a critical component of healthcare delivery that must be prioritized by all stakeholders. The implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines, effective communication, and appropriate use of technology are some of the strategies that can improve patient safety. The continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of patient safety initiatives are crucial for ensuring that patients receive safe, effective, and high-quality care.

A patient tracking system, also known as a patient identification system, enables a healthcare provider to record and track a patient's progress as they receive treatment there while they are a patient. These systems are a part of a larger information system and can communicate with patient check-in and check-out systems, radiology department patient tracking systems, systems for storing medical images, pathology laboratory information management systems, and a person's electronic health record, which contains information specific to that person.

People, biopsies, and related equipment are all being marked in more and more ways, such as with radio-frequency identity tags. A particular floor or ward may utilize a white board as its system to keep track of the conditions of all those receiving care; for instance, on an obstetrics ward, each mother in labour is noted, along with her status and the moment she was most recently checked.