Description
Comprehensive resource presenting information on patient safety theory and methodology in a practical and engaging format
Veterinary Patient Safety is an engaging guide to understanding patient safety and the tools necessary for improving patient outcomes. The book is based on the fundamentals of safety science, introducing both theory, methodology and practical applications of key principals. The book follows the development of patient safety and accident theory, using real-world examples, published veterinary medical literature, as well as insights from human healthcare and other industries such as aviation.
By understanding the reasons why accidents, errors, and morbidity and mortality associated with veterinary medicine might occur, readers learn how to implement changes to improve patient safety and outcomes. The author addresses the most common incidents in veterinary medicine, such as misdiagnosis, medication, equipment and communication errors, and includes many different how-to guides to perform patient safety investigations. Analysis techniques, such as the critical incident technique, Human Factors Analysis Classification System, Systems Analysis and The Five Whys, are explained. Critiques on theories, methodology and published studies are used to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of methods and analysis techniques. The importance of local investigations and the lack of a one-size-fits all approach is emphasized, alongside the importance of fostering safety culture including the debriefing following major incidents or complications.
Veterinary Patient Safety includes information on:
- Current data on the degree of harm occurring through unsafe care
- Key concepts and safety theory
- Human fallibility and the importance of non-technical skills
- Organizational culture, covering incivility and its effect on team performance, the concept of blame and ways to assess culture
- Reporting and learning methods, including incident reporting, debriefs, interviews, surveys, case review and trigger tools, and process evaluation
- Explanatory analysis methods and how they can be applied to veterinary safety investigations
- Patient safety improvement tools, including checklists and cognitive aids, simulation and teamwork building, briefings and debriefings, and debiasing strategies
- Legal and ethical aspects of patient safety, including error disclosure, litigation, non-maleficence and the veterinary professional’s “new accountability”
Veterinary Patient Safety is an excellent holistic resource on the subject for general veterinary practitioners, veterinary specialists, veterinary students, veterinary nurses and veterinary managers.
Table of Contents
Preface ii
Acknowledgements
Introduction v
Chapter 1. The language of (patient) safety 1
Chapter 2. A Brief History of Healthcare associated Harm and Patient Safety 11
Chapter 3. Modern Prevalence and Impact of Healthcare Associated Harm 23
Chapter 4. Why are patients harmed by healthcare? Theories, concepts and models 73
Chapter 5. Human performance and error; 147
Chapter 6. Organisational, professional and safety cultures; 249
Chapter 7. Dealing with the nonclinical aftermath of an incident or error; 311
Chapter 8. Methods of assessment and measurement in patient safety 356
Chapter 9. Analysis Techniques for Patient Safety Investigations 568
Chapter 10. Patient Safety Interventions 713
Chapter 11. Feedback and closing the loop: Quality Improvement Cycles 890
Chapter 12. Ethics in Patient Safety Investigations; 902
Chapter 13. Suggested unified approach for veterinary healthcare; 940
Appendix I. Glossary of terms; 980
Appendix II: List of veterinary clinical practice guidelines 989
Anesthesia and Analgesia; 989
Emergency and Critical Care (including transfusion medicine) 991
Cardiology; 992
Dentistry; 993
Dermatology 994
Internal medicine; 996
Neurology; 1011
Oncology; 1012
General practice; 1012
Equine; 1017
Appendix III. Case studies; 1023
Case Study 1: Improving Compliance with a Checklist 1023
Situation 1023
Background; 1023
Assessment & Analysis; 1024
Recommendations 1025
Case study 2: Improving Reliability and Safety in an Intensive Care Unit 1027
Situation 1027
Background; 1027
Assessment & Analysis; 1028
Recommendations 1029
Case study 3: Improving the Safety of Infused Medications 1032
Situation 1032
Background; 1032
Assessment & Analysis; 1033
Recommendations 1034
Case Study 4: Introducing an Incident Reporting System 1037
Situation 1037
Background; 1037
Assessment & Analysis; 1039
Recommendations 1041
Case study 5: Improving the Safety of Overnight Care 1043
Situation 1043
Background; 1043
Assessment & Analysis; 1044
Recommendations 1047
Case Study 6: Reducing Wound Complications and Surgical Site Infections 1049
Situation 1049
Background; 1049
Assessment & Analysis; 1052
Recommendations 1053
