MGH: Among the Nation's Best - Marion General Hospital

Surgery Safety:Checking It ThriceChecklists are a proactive measure to ensure your safety duringsurgery. Initially developed by the World Health Organization, thechecklists have been specifically modified for MGH after receivinginput from our highly skilled surgical staff and surgeons. The threechecklists are on the walls of each of our five surgical suites.Symbiq Infusion SystemsNew Symbiq® Infusion Systems (IV pumps),used throughout MGH, are designed to provideanother level of safety when your medicationis given to you intravenously. Built-in softwareallows the MGH pharmacy to preprogram thepumps with a library of up to 16,000 approvedmedications and correct dosages by clinicalcare area.If staff members accidentally enter unapprovedmedications or concentrations, thepump immediately displays an initial warningscreen that asks if they want to proceed. If theyanswer yes and the drug information is incorrect,the pump will not infuse.By confirming the accuracy of the medication,dosage, time given and patient name, thechances of medication errors at the bedside canbe prevented.1. When first entering the room for surgery, the sign-in checklist actsas a prompt for staff to:• Confirm your identity• Mark the correct surgery site (if applicable)• Confirm your allergies (if applicable)2. Just prior to surgery, the time-out checklist reminds staff to:• Make introductions•Reconfirm your identity and correct surgery site or procedure• Make sure you received an antibiotic3. After surgery, the sign-out checklist helps staff to remember to:• Verify the correct sponge, needle and instrument count•Confirm your specimens are labeled and sent to pathology, lab, etc.• Resolve any equipment issues (if applicable)Once each task has been completed, a staff member checks off theitem. This helps MGH provide surgical patients with a high level ofpatient safety and continuity of care.We Do Itfor YouWe’ll never be sorry we made an investmentin you and your safety. Trust andsense of security are important, especiallyin healthcare. When lives are at stake,there is no margin of error. You must getit right. At Marion General Hospital,rest easier because patient safety isour first priority.vim & vigor • fall 2009 51