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Strategy Submission
Student Officer of Patient Safety (SOS)
Author:
Marie Everhart
MSN, RN, CNE
Title:
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Coauthors:
Institution:
Northampton Community College
Email:
Competency Categories:
Safety, Teamwork and Collaboration
Learner Level(s):
Pre-Licensure ADN/Diploma, Pre-Licensure BSN
Learner Setting(s):
Clinical Setting
Strategy Type:
Case Studies
Learning Objectives:
The student will:
(S) Demonstrate the effective use of technology and standardized practices that support safety and quality.
(S) Communicate observations or concerns related to hazards and errors to patients, families and the healthcare team.
(A) Value vigilance and monitoring (even of own performance of care activities) by patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.
Strategy Overview:
Objective: The objective of this assignment is for the student nurse to gain awareness of the continuous need for playing an active role in patient safety and participate in a leadership role to promote patient safety on the clinical unit through the utilization of informatics, collaboration with team members, communication skills and appropriate delegation of tasks.
Assignment: Each student will have an opportunity to serve as the SOS. The SOS will obtain a report on all patients assigned to student nurses in their clinical group. The SOS will utilize informatics (electronic medical records & medication profile) and research all patients assigned to the clinical group. After obtaining report from the assigned student and the student’s research of the electronic medical record and medication profile, the SOS will determine the need for all color coded safety bracelets, obtain a fall risk assessment and IV therapy for all patients assigned. The SOS will meet with all assigned patients, assess their knowledge of colored coded bracelets, verify the placement of the appropriate color coded bracelet, assess IV sites, and perform an environment assessment for patient safety and available interventions based on the documented fall assessment. If a discrepancy occurs, the SOS will utilize appropriate communication skills and verify the information with the primary nurse. The SOS will then delegate the task required to the student nurse caring for the patient to rectify the situation. The SOS will follow-up on the delegated task within 20 minutes. If the task was not completed by the student, the SOS will complete the task and then a conference will occur to review the situation between the student, SOS and clinical faculty. If the SOS determines that the patient is at immediate risk for injury the SOS must address the situation immediately.
Documentation Required: The SOS will keep a chart listing patient initials, fall risk assessment, coded bracelets required, coded bracelets actually on patient, can the patient/significant other recite the purpose of the bracelets, delegated task required, condition of environment (call bell in reach, free of clutter, bed/chair alarms on, IV site condition), interventions and challenges experienced. The SOS is also required to document in the patients electronic medical record any teaching performed. The SOS will prepare to present their findings in post-conference. The presentation will include a reflection addressing the following:
1. Describe what you observed about gaps in patient safety.
2. What are the potential implications of the gaps observed?
3. How can nurses incorporate what you learned into their daily practice?
4. How might the student’s observations impact patient outcomes?
The remaining students in the clinical group will provide feedback to the SOS on their interactions and findings.
Special Note: This is a leadership experience. It is expected that all NCC nursing students practice patient safety as a priority in their nursing care. The expectation is immediately following the students initial assessment of the patient, a focus will be placed on patient safety factors. Each student is responsible to observe patient safety factors and rectify any discrepancies immediately during all clinical experiences; they include but are not limited to: fall risk assessments, Braden scores, IV therapy site condition, O2, color coded safety bracelets on as required, call bell, room clutter, spills, bed/chair alarms on, patient rounds q1h, etc….
The student should contact their clinical instructor for assistance/clarification as needed.
Additional Materials:
The student should contact their clinical instructor for clarification or assistance as needed.
Evaluation Description:
The SOS will present their findings and address the following questions in post-conference
Describe what you observed about gaps in patient safety.
What are the potential implications of the gaps observed?
How can nurses incorporate what you learned into their daily practice?
How might the student’s observations impact patient outcomes?
The clinical group will:
Provide feedback to the SOS addressing performance, alternative actions and or interventions.
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