Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
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This article explores the links between organisational culture and patient safety. The key elements associated with a safety culture, most notably effective leadership, good teamwork, a culture of learning and fairness, and fostering patient-centred care, are discussed. The broader aspects of a systems approach to promoting quality and safety, with specific reference to clinical governance, human factors, and ergonomics principles and methods, are also briefly explored, particularly in light of the report of the public inquiry into care failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
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Known as the 'disease of kings' and often trivialised as a self-inflicted condition, gout is in fact the most common type of inflammatory arthritis, affecting 1.4 per cent of the UK population. A wide range of risk factors, including genetics, play a part in its development. Early detection and treatment are important, as it is often extremely painful.
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To measure clinical bedside practice and promote best practice for the administration of blood. ⋯ The results of the audit are largely positive, with a continual comparative trend from previous audits of improvement in patient safety during transfusion. Healthcare professionals appear to recognise the importance of the final bedside check and monitoring of transfused patients, contributing to safe practice. However, a minority of patients were put at risk because procedures were not followed. The findings of this audit, particularly those relating to patient identification and monitoring, are relevant to many other aspects of clinical care, not only safe transfusion practice.