Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com
Summary:
Everything you need to deliver safe patient care or to improve patient safety in your organization
"This easy-to-read book provides an excellent overview of the patient safety movement in the United States....The author has written a useful book for the professional who needs a foundation in patient safety principles and theory. The book also provides a multitude of resources for the professional interested in gaining a more in-depth knowledge of the strategies and proponents of the patient safety movement."--Journal for Healthcare Quality
Understanding Patient Safety is the essential book for anyone seeking to learn the key clinical, organizational, and systems issues in patient safety. Written in a lively and accessible style by one of the world's leaders in the fields of patient safety and quality, Understanding Patient Safety is filled with valuable cases and analyses, as well as up-to-date tables, graphics, references, and tools -- all designed to introduce the patient safety field to medical, nursing, pharmacy, hospital administration, and other trainees, and to be the go-to book for experienced clinicians and non-clinicians alike.
Features:
Concise coverage of the core principles of patient safety
All the key insights to help you understand and prevent a broad range of errors: including medication errors, surgical errors, diagnostic errors, errors at the man-machine interface, and nursing-related errors
A focus on how reporting systems, teamwork training, simulation, the malpractice system, and information technology can impact patient safety and quality
A practical overview on how to implement an effective safety program in both hospital and ambulatory settings
Realistic case studies that illustrate key points and clarify pivotal concepts
A detailed glossary, key references, and useful tools, websites, tables, and graphics
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
Patient Safety in a Nutshell
Customer Rating:
Wachter has covered a complex topic with great clarity and fine style. The book is organised logically to allow the reader to follow from start to finish or "drop in" on a topic of interest. The interliniking of chapters and ideas is well constructed through example and cross reference - again aiding a rapid uptake of the knowledge sought.
The careful examination of terminology that starts the book is very helpful to beginners but takes some concentration to understand. This section is helpfully supplemented by a glossary that probably should also be read early.
The examples used throughout the book are both elightening and frightening! Use of examples assists the reader to understand the complexity of safety issues whilst focussing on the current topic.
The writing style is clear and easy to understand. A minimum of medical terminology is needed and many specialist terms are explained along the way. I feel confident beginners and experienced staff will find this acceptable.
Wachter starts with definitions and the overall situation, leads us through common causes and issues and ends with recommendations for action. Each chapter ends with a summary of key points that is a helpful adjunct to the main text.
International readers will also benefit from Wachters detailed coverage of the issues and examples from within the US as he manages to keep the discussion largely universal in its application.
Overall, I have found the book very helpful on getting my specialist area of interest, Clinical Engineering, and its role in Patient Safety into context. Highly recommended reading and for this reviewer an instant favourite.
Great introduction and excellent resource
Customer Rating:
I've read scientific papers in University that reviewed patient safety and more specifically anesthesiologist errors.
It's surprising how many errors occur - but the underlying reason most often is latent errors that happen to occur at the "sharp" end (those administering medication, monitoring, operating etc).
The book outlines the classic "swiss cheese" model and reminds us we are quick to blame the person that committed the error however, we need to look closer at the systemic or latent errors.
I've always had an interest in pursuing more human factors work in regard to patient safety and this was a great resource to remind me of various medical error sources.
I also recommend James Reasons "Human Error" for an indepth review of Human Error - slips, lapses, mistakes etc.
Excelente
Customer Rating:
Me pareció una muy buena revisión del estado actual del tema de seguridad del paciente en el mundo.
lo recomiendo
Great Primer for People Interested in Patient Safety!
Customer Rating:
This book is a great introduction and a "must read" for those interested in the topic of Patient Safety. Wachter is extremely knowledgeable about the issues and with his engaging writing style, he makes it easy for the reader to understand the important principles. I would recommend this book not only for healthcare workers, but anyone interested in helping to fix our healthcare systems to provide the safest care possible for everyone.
Ideal for Beginners and Teachers
Customer Rating:
If "Internal Bleeding" was an inspiring book; this is a comprehensive, modern, didactic, updated and most of all, very useful "text book". Easy to read, with graphic examples, integrative tables and graphics, take home key points and smart design; this book attest Wachter's unique writing talent. Seeking patient safety should become a proven clinical skill for every health care worker and, "Understanding Patient Safety" is an excellent starting point. Also anyone who is or will become a patient would profit with it's reading. So useful for culture change, I wish there's soon a spanish version available.
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