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Decreasing Surgical Site Infections by Developing a High Reliability Culture
Author(s) -
Pettis Ann Marie
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1002/aorn.12416
Subject(s) - harm , multidisciplinary approach , perioperative , standardization , reliability (semiconductor) , health care , multidisciplinary team , patient safety , safety culture , perioperative nursing , medicine , nursing , psychology , intensive care medicine , computer science , sociology , surgery , political science , social psychology , management , social science , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , law , operating system , economics
Today's fast‐paced and complex perioperative setting requires a collaborative and mindful approach to implementing evidence‐based practices and preventing patient harm. Recent changes in the health care landscape coupled with the potential harm caused by surgical site infections require a shift in culture in which all members of the perioperative team have zero tolerance for preventable harm. This article discusses high‐reliability organizations and examples of ways in which perioperative teams can apply the principles of high reliability to the prevention of surgical site infections. Characteristics of high‐reliability organizations include mindfulness, collaboration, standardization, and use of a structured model to implement evidence into practice. By understanding and applying these concepts and others described in this article, members of a multidisciplinary team should be more prepared to ensure that all staff members are following evidence‐based practices during every patient encounter.