To describe the activities of endoscopy clinic that follow the Patient Safety Strategy SERMAS.
Patient Safety is a global priority which requires an urgent action to reduce preventable harm, World Health Organization says in Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030.
The Consejería de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid (Regional Office of Health in Madrid-SERMAS) has published the New Patient Safety Strategy 2027. It includes12 strategic lines to outline the actions that will be addressed by Health Care Centres and Hospital Units.
Every month around 400 endoscopies are performed in our endoscopy unit at Hospital Universitario del Henares (Madrid), both outpatients or inpatients. Concern for patient safety is growing with the aim of preventing or at least reducing adverse events related to medical procedures, therefore nursing staff have sought out the bibliography published by SERMAS to improve patient care.
The document was studied by the nursing staff and a critical review was carried out to choose the activities that could be applied in the daily practice of Endoscopy unit. The document consisted of 12 strategic lines that are developed into 92 strategic objectives.
Of the 12 strategic lines (S.L.), 3 were selected for their relevance: S.L. 7.9 “Nursing care and procedures”, S.L. 7.11 “Safe use of drugs” and S.L. 7.12 “Healthcare-associated infection”.
S.L.7.9:
Strategic objective (S.O.) 7.9.1 “To enhance leadership in care”, Action 7.9.1.2: “To promote the implementation of nursing care safety protocols”: Protocols are drafted and updated.
S.O. 7.9.2 “To reduce variability in nursing practice through standardisation of care”: preventing falls, management of infection, placement of ostomies. The existing protocols at our centre are implemented, with special attention to frailty.
S.O. 7.9.3 “Promoting safety through specific nursing interventions”: the medication used during endoscopic procedure is studied to ensure its proper administration and the transfer of information.
S.O. 7.9.4: “Promoting training in care safety”: The welcome document for new staff members is prepared.
S.L. 7.11 “Safe use of drugs”:
S.O. 7.11.1 “Promoting culture to encourage safe use of medicines”: application of 5 secure moments for medication safety and to report incidents related to medication administration.
S.L.7.12: “Healthcare-associated infection”
S.O. 7.12.1 “Preventing healthcare-associated infections in Primary care and other healthcare settings”, by promoting regular training among professionals.
Through the use of the document “New Patient Safety Strategy 2027 in SERMAS”, nursing procedures in Endoscopy unit have been standardised to improve patient safety.
We recommend using the official bibliography as a basis for improving the performance of nursing staff in patient care.