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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

Communicates refers to “give or exchange thoughts, feelings, information… by writing, speaking, etc.; to exchange thoughts, feelings, or information easily or effectively.”[1] It implies a two-way communication process between the speaker and recipient involving active listening and reception.

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

Near misses refer to “a patient/client safety incident that did not reach the patient/client. Replaces close call.”[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 “happening at the correct or most useful time: not happening too late.”[5]

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