Protecting patients from pressure ulcers at Royal Inland Hospital
In recent years, studies have shown the prevalence and enormous cost of pressure ulcers to society, in terms of patient suffering, caregiver anguish, extra work for healthcare providers, and millions spent in healthcare dollars - all for a largely preventable...
Vancouver General Hospital’s proactive approach to falls prevention
Patients are at risk for falling. Especially patients who are elderly, have cognitive impairment due to head trauma or take multiple medications. Falls can lead to multiple and serious negative outcomes such as long-term pain, extended stay in hospital or, in the...
The measurement and monitoring of safety: Is there a way?
Patient safety has gained worldwide recognition over the past 10 years. But, when we ask the question, "Is care safer than it was?" the answer remains unclear. How do we really know if the strategies we put in place will create a safer healthcare system–today and in...
Top patient safety priorities for 2014…and beyond
BC PSLS is now into its sixth year! Since our first Go Live in 2008, we've seen patient safety become an integral component of quality healthcare across BC. Here's a few examples: BC healthcare providers have online access to a variety of patient safety forms, tools...
BC PSLS Central: The first six months
2014 is nearly upon us. As we wrap up for the year and look back on the first six months of BC PSLS Central, there is much to celebrate! Our main goal with this blog has always been to share meaningful stories about patient safety–your stories. The kind of stories...
Fostering safety culture in pediatric care: Surjeet’s story
For Surjeet Meelu, Interim Manager for the Pediatric Unit at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH), patient-centred care has always been her passion. Since graduating as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 2000 she has been a strong advocate for patient safety, particularly as a key...