Eliminating Reduce Errors - Essay Example

2. Should written policies be developed for abbreviation usageYes, I think that written policies have to be adopted for using abbreviations considering patients' safety. The Stanford Hospital Medical Board has adopted an abbreviation policy that comprises a list of 'approved acronyms, abbreviations and symbols to guide documentation and interpretation of hand-written notes'. Apart from this, the policy also includes a list of 'dangerous abbreviations and symbols' that should not be used. Some vital features of the policy include that medication names should not be abbreviated and that use of the metric system is strongly recommended.

(http://med.stanford.edu/shs/update/archieves/nov2002/safety.html.)3. When are abbreviations accepted and whyThe use of abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols is acceptable when used for a valid reason and under proper circumstances. For instance, abbreviations can be standardized and developed by individual organizations. Abbreviations can be accepted when used for a published reference source. A list of acceptable abbreviations can be put forward and a proposal can be laid to individuals who work in a particular organization to use abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols that are present in the list.

(http://www.jointcommission.org/accreditation Programs/office-based surgery/standards/09 FAQS/IM/Acceptable _-abbreviation-_list.htm.)4. According to the information in the online articles, do you think enough steps have been taken to reduce errorsYes, I agree that several implementation steps have been taken by various organizations to reduce the number of errors that arise mainly by abbreviation usage.Some of these steps that are employed are as follows:a. Some organizations print a list of prohibited abbreviations in large size clearly visible papers/magnets/stickers and place it in medical records/patients' case sheets.b. The list is also displayed on the first page of the intranet.c. Tent cards are attached to the list to enable clinicians to go through the list before writing a prescription.d. In some organizations, a presentation is done to all physicians/employees to explain poor handwriting and the alarming effects of dangerous abbreviation usage quoting proper examples if any.