The JCAHO released new patient-safety goals for 2006, which become effective January 1, 2006. Among the major changes are new requirements to existing goals:

* Implement a standardized approach to "hand off" communications, including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions.

* Label all medications, medication containers (including syringes, medicine cups, basins), or other solutions on and off the sterile field in perioperative and other procedural settings.

Two new goals have been added:

* Encourage the active involvement of patients and their families in the patient's care as a patient-safety strategy.

* Prevent health-care-associated pressure ulcers.These changes, which are applicable to various program areas and practice settings, are explained in detail online at http://www.jcaho.org.

DO YOU KNOW [horizontal ellipsis]

What percentage of lawsuits against hospitals involve a nurse who made a medication error?

a. 10%b. 23%c. 45%d. 72%

Answer:

a. almost 10% Source: http://www.nso.com/medication.