WORLD PATIENT SAFETY DAY (17/9/25)

ARE THEY REALLY SAFE🤔

We have had different case scenario where some patients who were admitted in the hospitals ended up with injuries or complications not related to their initial health challenges.

The watchword of every health institution should be safety both for the patient and for the health personnel.

But for this write up we will focus on the patient's safety.

The Importance of safety cannot be overemphasized in a hospital, from the environment to the wards, medications and equipments.

Quality control should also be done regularly in every hospital.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO KEEP THEM SAFE

✍️WELL VENTILATED  ENVIRONMENT AND WARDS: Poorly ventilated wards/room can cause respiratory problems especially for those who has breathings problems already.

👉Ensure there are adequate windows

👉 Fans 

👉Air conditioners

✍️THE FLOORS:

👉 Avoid wet floors especially where we have elderly patients and children 

👉 Solutions used in mopping the floors should not be harsh so it does not irritate the patients

👉 While mopping a signpost to indicate the floor is wet is necessary

✍️LIGHTING:

👉 Adequate light both in and outside the wards

👉 Bright light at the hallways to prevent bumping into humans and objects 

✍️SHARPS

👉Proper disposable of sharps(needles, blades, ampules,vials etc)

👉Provision of sharp boxes at strategic places 

✍️PREVENTION OF FALLS

👉Use of bed with side rails especially for the elderly and unstable patient 

👉 Provision of call bells so patient can call for assistance 

✍️QUALITY MEDICATION

👉 Hospitals should use brands of medications whose efficacy is guaranteed 

👉Proper storage of medication  (the right temperature, right place)

There are many other ways to maintain patient safety in the hospitals, but we should try and encourage practices that promote safety in the hospitals.

Patients come to the hospital for solutions and not problems let the hospital environment not create one for them.

✍️ Prisca Ojiobianu 

#sweetmotherhood