Evaluation of a nurse-led safety program in a critical care unit

J Nurs Care Qual. 2013 Apr-Jun;28(2):139-46. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0b013e31827464c3.

Abstract

This implementation of a formalized safety program in a critical care unit highlights the importance of the "voice of the caregiver," as it relates to patient safety. This nurse-led program featured executive walkrounds and a multidisciplinary core team whose goal was to prioritize and resolve safety issues identified during the 6-month study period. Unit nurses' scores on the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire remained stable from July 2011 to February 2012. Staff identified 77 safety issues during executive walkrounds; 57% were resolved during the study period. Results indicate the clinical significance of nurse-led patient safety programs.

MeSH terms

  • Critical Care Nursing / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / organization & administration*
  • Male
  • Nursing, Supervisory / organization & administration*
  • Organizational Culture
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Patient Safety*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Safety Management / organization & administration*