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STANDARD 14.

Safety and Risk Management

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) contribute to a culture of safety for patients/clients , healthcare team members, and others, and adhere to risk management processes.

Performance Requirements

RTs:
9
Recognize situations or environments involving risks to the safety of patients/clients, healthcare team members, and others.
9

Plan, implement and evaluate preventive measures whenever possible.

9
Manage immediate risks to the safety of patients/clients, healthcare team members, and others and respond effectively to eliminate or mitigate harm.
9
Provide full and frank disclosure of all patient safety incidents in keeping with relevant legislation and employer policies.
9
Report incidents using established/appropriate processes.
9

Take part in timely risk event analysis and reflective practice to prevent a recurrence.

9
Ensure appropriate processes are in place for the proper maintenance and cleaning/disinfection/sterilization of equipment.
9
Monitor equipment for and during use, including but not limited to:

  1. activation of appropriate alarms,
  2. proper functioning and application, and
  3. patient’s/client’s response to the applied technology
9
Perform procedures in accordance with applicable legislative, regulatory, employer, and manufacturers’ requirements.
9
Handle and dispose of dangerous substances and materials (e.g., biohazardous materials, medical gases, and liquids) in a safe manner according to best practices and established protocols (e.g., WHMIS).
9
Use preventative measures to reduce/eliminate hazards and maximize the health and safety of themselves, patients/clients, healthcare team members and others (e.g., protocols and policies related to occupational health and safety and wellness).
9
Participate in safety training programs (e.g., emergency preparedness), safety audits, and risk management activities as per legislative, regulatory, and employer requirements.
9
Collaborate and communicate effectively with other healthcare team members to maximize patient/client safety and the quality of care.

Patient / Client Expected Outcome

Patients/clients can expect the delivery of safe care by RTs.

RELATED RESOURCES
GLOSSARY

Communicate refers to “the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, feelings, or messages between individuals or groups using verbal, non-verbal, written, or visual methods.”[1] 

Healthcare team refers to “peers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals (regulated and non-regulated).”[2]

Patient Safety Incidents refer to an event or circumstance that could have resulted, or did result, in unnecessary harm to a patient.”[3]

Patients/clients refer to individuals and their families requiring care or services. This may also include his/her substitute decision-maker or guardian.[4]

Timely refers to “actions, interventions, or responses that are carried out within an appropriate or necessary timeframe to achieve the best possible health outcome.”[5]

Related Standards

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S6. Consent
$
S7. Documentation & Information Management
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S9. Infection Prevention and Control
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S10. Patient/Client Assessment & Therapeutic Procedures
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S13. Professional Responsibilities

FOOTNOTES

  1. Adapted from Dictionary.Com. (2017). Online Dictionary. Available at: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/communicated
  2. College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Ethics.pdf
  3. Canadian Patient Safety Institute. (2012). Canadian Incident Analysis Framework. Available at: http://www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca/en/toolsResources/IncidentAnalysis/Documents/Canadian%20Incident%20Analysis%20Framework.PDF#search=near%20misses
  4. Adapted from College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Ethics.pdf
  5. Merriam-Webster. (2016). Online Dictionary. Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timely