title: The development of a patient safety program across the continuum of care.
abstract: In keeping with the national emphasis on patient safety, and in keeping with the concept that quality healthcare is not episodic but spans the entire continuum of care, with the patient's home being the "preferred site of care," the Home Operations Utilizing Safety Education Program was developed. This program uses patient assessment, education, and other interventions that adjust the home environment to complement the patient's needs. The assessment and education serve as a link between in-patient, ambulatory care, and the patient's home in a cost-effective and efficient manner for reducing preventable injuries in a predominantly rural setting. The unique aspects of this program include patient follow-up in the home after initial face-to-face interviews/assessments and interventions via a hand-held camera phone. This program was developed as part of our plan to further enhance safety as a cultural norm within our Medical Center.
authors.affiliation: John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Poplar Bluff, MO, USA. sydneywertenberger@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Sydney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wertenberger
authors.forename: Jessi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control; D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D008923:Missouri; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control