Focused on Your Safety
There’s enough going through your mind before surgery without having to worry about safety.
That’s why patient safety procedures are a high priority at Lancaster General, to ensure you’re in good hands, from surgery preparation through recovery.
“Lancaster General is part of a national collaborative incorporating the best and most effective safety
procedures available,” says Diane Skorupski, Director of Surgical Services at Lancaster General Hospital.
It’s one reason why Lancaster General Hospital has one of the best patient safety records in the nation, and is the recipient of the 2004 & 2005 HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety.
“We’re committed to identifying potential problems and taking pre-emptive action to fix those areas before problems occur,” she says.
One recent innovation at Lancaster General is having surgeons mark, with a surgical pen, where the incision will be made. The surgeon first asks the patient for his or her name to ensure proper identification, then he or she explains to the patient where the incision will be made by marking and initialling the area.
“It’s natural for patients to worry,” Skorupski says. “We’re doing all we can to give them peace of mind, and getting patients involved in their own care helps.”
Once in the operating room, the surgical team has a “timeout,” pausing to confirm they’re all on the same page and that preparation is thorough and correct.
The team confirms correct patient, correct surgeon and correct surgery. The surgical timeout is similar to the pre-flight safety checklist that airlines use.
“These steps are in place to prevent wrong-site surgery,” Skorupski says.
Nurses play a vital role in patient safety, and they have a voice in the surgical decision-making process.
“A team approach is huge—and an important part of patient safety. We (nurses, surgeons and anesthesiologists) are partners in care,” she says.
Reduction of surgical infections is another high priority. The surgical team makes sure patients get the right antibiotics within the hour before surgery begins. Also, when hair removal is necessary, hair is clipped rather than shaved.
Patients are kept warm, increasing their comfort while reducing the incidence of infection. Patients with high blood sugars are monitored to maintain a safe range.
Another recent innovation: a computerized documentation system connected to every operating room—which makes sure vital patient information is a few seconds away.
No matter where your surgery takes place—Lancaster General Hospital, Women & Babies Hospital or the Health Campus—you can rest assured that your safety is our first priority.
For more information about Lancaster General’s Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety,
click here.