What We Can Learn From Fire Prevention Week
It was Fire Prevention
Week. Did you notice all the school fire
drills? Everyone left the building, moved
away and waited for direction.
I happened to be in a class in NY City teaching high school kids about patient advocacy / safety when the alarm sounded. First there was an announcement to be
prepared for the alarms and everyone must use the stairs to leave the
building. (I was not thrilled to be on
the 3rd floor). The children, teachers
and administration all followed in order and walked to the other side of the
street. Everyone was quiet and
behaved. When some of the teachers gave
the signal, hundreds of people walked back into the school and to their
classes.
It makes me wonder again why
everyone is involved in so many safety issues except patient safety.
Imagine if an announcement
came over the loudspeakers at noon in the hospital.
“Patients please make sure all staff are washing their hands. Patients make sure you know what medications
you are being given and that includes the IV bag as well as the pills in the cups
with no labels (that are supposed to be labeled). Hospital staff, be sure the patient’s tray tables are within reach and
you are not disrupted when getting your patients medication.”
Nah, will never happen –
besides patients need to rest……….
