patient safety report uf shands nurse

by Syble Wilkinson 8 min read

UF Health Shands Hospital Patient Guide: Safety and …

32 hours ago  · Search “UF Health Protect” on any mobile app store. It can be accessed on Apple, Android or other platforms. Wherever you go, UF Health Protect is there to help you stay safe. NURSING SAFETY TRAINING. Crisis Prevention Institute, or CPI, and Crisis Development and Nonviolent De-escalation training has equipped more than 500 UF Health Shands ... >> Go To The Portal


Why choose UF Health Shands Hospital?

UF Health Shands Hospital is the state’s leading referral system because of innovative breakthroughs and a nationally and internationally recognized staff. Our teams also collaborate closely with the six UF Health Science Center colleges, including the College of Nursing, further advancing education and scientific discovery.

What is it like to be a patient at UF Health?

While you are a patient at UF Health, we consider you the most important member of the health care team. We work hard to communicate clearly and keep you and your loved ones informed and engaged at every stage of your care. We also want patients to be comfortable and empowered to speak up and ask questions, and to express any concerns at any time.

What is the patient safety reporting team doing?

The dedicated team carefully assesses every patient safety report and works with staff to developed procedures that prevent similar events from occurring in the future. We have an advanced patient safety reporting system that collects and analyzes safety events submitted by clinical care staff.

What is UF Health doing to improve quality?

We continually assess and improve, and our core quality goals guide our efforts. Faculty and staff from throughout UF Health regularly engage in interdisciplinary quality-improvement initiatives, reflecting our commitment and ongoing progress in patient-centered, safe practices.

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Know about your care

You and your doctor should agree on what will happen during your hospitalization.

Be Informed

Ask your health care providers whatever questions you have. If you don’t understand the answer, ask again.

Know your surroundings

Become familiar with your room and nursing unit. Ask about unfamiliar equipment.

Know your medications

Tell your health care team about every prescription and non-prescription medication or supplement you are taking.

Speak up

Voice any questions or concerns about your care to any member of your health care team.

If you need us

Just ask if you need help getting out of bed. Help prevent fall injuries by following your health care team’s instructions regarding walking or using equipment.

Enlist family and friends

Bring along a trusted family member who can act as your advocate and health care partner.

What is the University of Florida Health?

At University of Florida Health, quality is Job 1. Our goal is to provide you and your family with the highest level of quality medical care and the best possible patient experience. We strive to consistently meet and exceed national standards for clinical care, patient safety, outstanding service and patient satisfaction.

What are some examples of errors in hospital?

They can involve medications, procedures or paperwork — for example, being given salt with a meal when you’re on a salt-free diet, or receiving someone else’s medical forms.

What is the ID band for hospital admission?

For your safety, upon admission to the hospital, a patient identification band will be placed on your wrist that includes your name, date of birth, gender and medical record number, which you will need to wear at all times. Please check your ID band for accuracy to make sure your name is spelled correctly and your birthday is accurate.

How to take notes when you speak to your doctor?

Take notes when you speak with your doctor, or have a trusted friend or family member take notes for you, so you can refer to them later. Also ask for any written information your doctor may be able to provide about your condition and/or treatments. Remember – you’re in charge.

What is the UF Health Shands course?

UF Health Shands Human Resources Development encourages clinical staff to enroll in the Dealing with Difficult Patient and Family Situations course . This two-hour program helps improve the skills and comfort level of nurses and other direct care providers to handle difficult and challenging situations involving patients and visitors.

What is UF Health Protect?

UF Health Protect is a free personal safety app that will enable staff to quickly connect with emergency services, send your location to a friend, sound a loud alarm, report a tip, track shuttles and more. Search “UF Health Protect” on any mobile app store. It can be accessed on Apple, Android or other platforms. Wherever you go, UF Health Protect is there to help you stay safe.

Who is Kim from UF Health?

She now supports the communication efforts of UF Health IT Services. In a previous life, Kim was director of Strategic Communications for UF Health and assistant director for Shands HealthCare Marketing and PR. Before that, she was the lead coordinator for two annual festivals for the City of Gainesville Division of Cultural Affairs (the fall Downtown Festival & Art Show and the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire). Kim is active with the International Association of Business Communicators and volunteered until recently as the Advisory Council co-founder and chair for the City of Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center. She holds a journalism degree from UF.

What is the stress of health care workers?

Health care workers often face stressful and emotionally charged situations when interacting with patients, families and visitors. People facing a health concern or crisis can experience a multitude of difficult feelings when seeking help, from mild worry to anxiety or sadness, fear and possibly denial or anger. This can put our faculty, staff, residents and volunteers at risk for facing confrontational or outright hostile behaviors while providing service.

How can healthcare workers help prevent infection?

Healthcare workers can help stop infection and illness by carefully cleaning their hands. When hospital staff does not carefully wash their hands, they can spread germs from one patient to another and cause someone to become seriously ill.

How does a hospital count sponges?

The hospital team follows a strict procedure to count sponges and tools in the operating room. The hospital may use an electronic scanning system where each object is scanned before and after surgery to ensure they haven’t left any objects inside the patient.

How many points can a hospital earn for CPOE?

Hospitals can earn up to 100 points for using a well-functioning CPOE system in most areas of the hospital. For details on sources, click here.

Why do hospitals clean their catheters?

Hospital staff regularly clean and maintain urinary catheters to prevent infection. They also know when and how to safely remove a catheter.

Do nurses clean their hands?

Doctors and nurses should clean their hands after caring for every patient. Hospital rooms and medical equipment should be thoroughly cleaned often. Safer hospitals will also keep MRSA patients separate from other patients and require providers and visitors to wear gloves and gowns around these patients.

What is UF Health Shands?

UF Health Shands Nursing recognizes the benefit of utilizing specially-trained resource nurses to provide unit-based leadership within a variety of clinical and administrative focus areas.

How many beds does UF Health Shands Hospital have?

UF Health Shands Hospital is a 1014-bed quaternary teaching hospital located in Gainesville, Florida. Our state-of-the-art environment provides diverse opportunities for all levels of nursing practice, from graduate nurses to advanced practice nurses. The dynamic interprofessional collaboration provides a rewarding nursing practice that is evidence-based and patient-centric.

What is UF Health Shands fellowship?

This yearlong fellowship is designed to provide RN participants at UF Health Shands with the experiences, insight, competencies and skills necessary to serve in a formal and informal leadership role.

What is shared governance in nursing?

Our centralized and unit-based Shared Governance structures empower frontline professional nursing staff to collectively impact their practice and patient outcomes. The governance model recognizes the clinical expertise and decision-making abilities of nurses and provides the opportunity for participation on policymaking councils.

What is the role of Chief Nursing Officer?

As the Chief Nursing Officer, I am committed to providing leadership that ensures nursing excellence, innovations in nursing practice, and quality patient care. I am equally committed to creating and maintaining a healthy work environment that supports our nurses. By fostering a professional practice environment, evidence-based nursing practice is employed, professional development is encouraged, and nurses are empowered to make decisions that impact their practice.

What is nursing leadership?

Nursing leadership is recognized for our visionary guidance to a team of more than 3,000 registered nurses. We have an obligation to each nurse who works here to provide a professional practice environment where nurses can thrive; gain exposure to diverse, state-of-the-art clinical practice settings; and be supported in their professional development journey. We believe exceptional nursing practice is achieved and maintained when nurses are supported to be autonomous and accountable in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care in a team-based culture.

What does it mean to work for UF Health?

Working for UF Health means working for one of the most prominent and well-respected health systems in the Southeast. It means being exposed to the latest in lifesaving technology, dedicating yourself to excellence, and joining over 3,000 of the best nurses in the world.

Our Mission

To provide Experienced Care, Expert Caring to our patients, families, and community.

A Message from the Chief Nursing Officer

If you are looking for a cutting-edge practice environment where you can grow and develop in any nursing specialty of your choosing, I encourage you to join our team at UF Health Shands Hospital.

What is nursing staff?

The Nursing staff is provided with opportunities for training and learning experiences to enable competency as defined by the role in the job description and departmental education plan. There is an emphasis towards advancement of degrees as well as national certifications.

What are the considerations for staffing?

Additional considerations for staffing include: 1 Complexity of the patient’s condition (frequency and length of time for procedures, physical care needs) which are reflected in the Quadramed system 2 Relevant safety and infection control issues 3 Assignment from the previous day to insure continuity of care 4 Central staff/float staff assignment to be altered due to their competency or skill level 5 Patient transport requirements

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ID Bands

Allergies

  • The staff will ask you about any allergies you have. If you have any allergies to food, medication, tape, latex, etc., staff will place a red armband on you to make sure staff is aware of your allergies.
See more on ufhealth.org

Devices/Equipment

  1. Make sure you are familiar with the operation of any medical device or equipment, such as walkers, that you may be given.
  2. Do not turn off or modify alarms for equipment. The alarm is intended to notify staff.
  3. Most medical equipment from home can’t be used in the hospital. If you are allowed to bring your own medical equipment from home, make sure it is labeled with your name and address.
See more on ufhealth.org

DVT: Lower Your Risk

  • Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)occurs when blood clots form in the legs and block circulation. The clots can lodge in the brain, heart or lungs, causing damage or even death. When you’re hospitalized and in bed with limited physical activity, your risk of DVT increases. Ask your doctor about using compression boots or stockings and/or blood thinners to prevent DVT during your s…
See more on ufhealth.org

Falls

  • Falls are a significant cause of patient injury. If you are deemed to be at risk for falls, the staff will apply a yellow armband to your wrist. It is also important to wear this band so staff know about your risk and take extra care to prevent you from falling. Please follow any instructions regarding getting out of bed. To keep you safe from falling, “Call, don’t fall” is a slogan used to remind you t…
See more on ufhealth.org

Surgery

  1. You and your surgeon should agree on exactly what will be done during your operation.
  2. Tell the nurses, anesthesiologist and surgeon if you are allergic to any medication and if you have ever had a reaction to any form of sedation or anesthesia.
  3. Make sure the surgical site is clearly marked with a permanent marker with a “YES,” on the co…
  1. You and your surgeon should agree on exactly what will be done during your operation.
  2. Tell the nurses, anesthesiologist and surgeon if you are allergic to any medication and if you have ever had a reaction to any form of sedation or anesthesia.
  3. Make sure the surgical site is clearly marked with a permanent marker with a “YES,” on the correct site. Make sure you take an active part in identifying the site of surgery and the procedure or su...
  4. Ask questions about your surgery such as:

Preventing Errors

ID Bands

Allergies

  • The staff will ask you about any allergies you have. If you have any allergies to food, medication, tape, latex, etc., staff will place a red armband on you to make sure staff is aware of your allergies.
See more on ufhealth.org

Devices/Equipment

  1. Make sure you are familiar with the operation of any medical device or equipment, such as walkers, that you may be given.
  2. Do not turn off or modify alarms for equipment. The alarm is intended to notify staff.
  3. Most medical equipment from home can’t be used in the hospital. If you are allowed to bring your own medical equipment from home, make sure it is labeled with your name and address.
See more on ufhealth.org

DVT: Lower Your Risk

  • Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)occurs when blood clots form in the legs and block circulation. The clots can lodge in the brain, heart or lungs, causing damage or even death. When you’re hospitalized and in bed with limited physical activity, your risk of DVT increases. Ask your doctor about using compression boots or stockings and/or blood thinners to prevent DVT during your s…
See more on ufhealth.org

Falls

  • Falls are a significant cause of patient injury. If you are deemed to be at risk for falls, the staff will apply a yellow armband to your wrist. It is also important to wear this band so staff know about your risk and take extra care to prevent you from falling. Please follow any instructions regarding getting out of bed. To keep you safe from falling, “Call, don’t fall” is a slogan used to remind you t…
See more on ufhealth.org

Surgery

  1. You and your surgeon should agree on exactly what will be done during your operation.
  2. Tell the nurses, anesthesiologist and surgeon if you are allergic to any medication and if you have ever had a reaction to any form of sedation or anesthesia.
  3. Make sure the surgical site is clearly marked with a permanent marker with a “YES,” on the correct site. Make sure you take an active part in identifying the site of surgery and the proce…
  1. You and your surgeon should agree on exactly what will be done during your operation.
  2. Tell the nurses, anesthesiologist and surgeon if you are allergic to any medication and if you have ever had a reaction to any form of sedation or anesthesia.
  3. Make sure the surgical site is clearly marked with a permanent marker with a “YES,” on the correct site. Make sure you take an active part in identifying the site of surgery and the procedure or su...
  4. Ask questions about your surgery such as: