- While Hippocrates, the “father of medicine”, lived in the early 5th century B.C., the famous oath that bears his name emerged a century later. No one knows who first penned it. This oath ethically binds all the practitioners of modern medicine.
- One component of this oath is “I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice”
- The discipline of patient safety is the coordinated efforts to prevent harm to patients, during the process of health care itself.
- It is generally agreed upon that the meaning of patient safety is…“Please do no harm”
- Improving Patient Safety means, reducing patient harm.
- Though the concept of doing no harm to the patient was embedded in the Hippocratic Oath
- it self , no much concern was shown by the hospitals, though Hospitals were founded to give care to those who need it and to keep patients safe is their moral duty .
- The first effective initiative in this regard was started by World Health Alliance (WHA) in Jan 2002
- In May 2002 – resolution adopted by 55th World Health Assembly
- In May 2004 – WHA support establishing World Alliance for Patient Safety
- The principles of patient safety were adopted from the air safety of Aviation industries.
- Further with the leadership of WHO, the Patient safety concern became a major issue by all nations
- And various safety measures are initiated by hospitals to reduce harm to the patient by implementing the WHO guidelines.
In the presentation, a summary of initiatives to be taken by hospitals in different areas for patient safety have been described for the knowledge, practices and implementation of patient safety initiative by hospital managers/Administrators.
- The primary role of the hospital is to provide curative care to the sick through provision of a shelter in the hospital, under direct supervision.
- It requires a systematically organized ‘In patient care’ facility. The organization of in patient service is very important because while providing curative care, there should be provision to look into the patients physical, emotional and psychological needs.
- The patient must feel at home having a clean, peaceful atmosphere, and adequate provision for self-entertainment.
- The attendants visiting the patients must also be provided facilities to wait for some times, and must be satisfied with the hospital sanitation and type of care to their patient.
- There has to be adequate safety and security and privacy for the patients and nutritious diet during the stay.
- All these issues must be given consideration while planning for inpatient housing by the hospital administrator.
The presentation on 'Organization and Management of In- Patient Services' looks in to all these angles for planning and organizing the hospital in-patient services.
