Patient Safety & Risk Management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Patient Safety & Risk Management - Coursework Example The increasing use of evidenced based prevention strategies were also embraced to ensure these errors were prevented. However, concerns were later raised concerning this ‘no blame’ approach to new ways of indentifying and dealing with poorly performing health practitioners; stressing on responsibility and accountability. The idea of shifting from a blameworthy to blameless culture was also floated. Rather than viewing problems as systems problems, the culture of viewing them as accountability problems was able to reduce some of the problems such as low hand hygiene significantly, making surgeries safer (Wachter & Pronovost 2009, 1402). The article therefore elaborates how to strike an acceptable balance between errors caused by lack of accountability, and those that result from the system where such practitioners cannot be blamed for their occurrence. Wachter & Pronovost (2009, 1402) elaborates that the cost of failure to adhere to professionalism and enforcement of safe ty standards in United States accounts to about 4000 wrong-side surgeries. This is despite the fact that these errors may be preventable through strict adherence to Universal Protocol, which clearly outlines the correct surgery sites to be followed by all surgeons. Campbell, Chin & Voo (2007, 431) argues that over the past few decades, medical profession has evolved to come of age, in enhancing more ethical practice. The above patient safety document is an example of actions being taken to ensure this objective is met. However, the above large number of poor surgical cases portrays a weakness on effectiveness of these approaches. This implies doctors are employed in the medical fraternity due to their skills and academic qualifications, devoid of imparting and stressing adherence to standards as a norm or culture in the medical field. Though the article provides concerned efforts towards solving this problem such as enhancing hygiene and computerization of systems, the large numbers of unethical practices portray ignorance is live in the medical field. Marx argues the importance of stressing on a just culture which is blameless rather than trying to solve the problems of blameworthy acts (Wachter & Pronovost 2009, 1401). This can only be possible through strict ethical practices that are well integrated within the medical profession from early training stages. Rather than finding ways to improve the hand hygiene problem, this weakness can be narrowed down to lack of ethics and professionalism in the medical fraternity. The issue of systems is a pertinent issue in the medical fraternity. For example, Wachter & Pronovost (2009, 1402) argue that in order to create safer activities, the medical fraternity is looking towards other industries to learn how these safety mechanisms, are implemented. To support this, the idea that a pilot who ignores the slightest use of checklist in the aviation industry cannot be allowed to fly, is floated as the best example. This is a good proposal as it deals with strict code of conduct in a profession, which forms a culture in such operations.. Patient welfare is central in the medical field. Brockopp & Eich (2007, 163) argue that in the current highly technologically advanced settings in the