Medical practitioners such as doctors, surgeons, nurses and other healthcare givers have been alarmed by the recent upsurge HAI (Healthcare-Associated Infections). What this means is that patients get infected by other diseases while they are in the hospital to be treated. It is for this reason that hospitals and other healthcare institutions are making deliberate efforts in trying to improve patient safety.

Statistics emanating from the Department of Health paint a grim picture on the whole scenario. It states that out of 10 Patients admitted to the hospitals, 1 patient is likely to contract HAI, and the result is that they tend to stay in the hospital thrice as long as other patients. This places more financial burden on patients, as they have to deal with increased costs.

This idea of enhancing safety for patients is becoming much more common in the medical world as the heat is turned on medical facilities to ensure that patients are protected. All health institutions therefore need to provide an enabling environment for patients. This will go along way into ensuring that safety while at the hospital is at its zenith.

One way of curbing HAI is to keep tabs on venous thromboembolism, a condition that leads to formation of blood clot inside the veins. Although this condition can cause discomfort, it rarely causes serious consequences. However, this disease can be very dangerous, and is rated as among the leading causes of deaths at the hospitals which are easily preventable.

Most health facilities also employ the means of setting goals and timelines in curbing HAI. These goals are crucial since they help medical staffs to stay focused on their main duties. Firstly, the medical practitioners need to agree on their general goals. To be able to sanction a change in design, the goals must be aggressive enough. When these goals are set early, chances are that cases of HAI will be significantly reduced.

Conducting education among patients to show them the correct usage of blood thinners is another effective way of dealing with HAI. Patients who have recently undergone surgeries are usually given blood thinner prescriptions. These serve to prevent clotting of blood. But if not used in the right manner, they can be very counterproductive. Uncontrollable bleeding may result from improper use. It is this that causes drug event.

With proper education on how they can correctly use the blood thinners, these cases can be reduced. Teaching is done by way of video lessons coupled with a booklet. These will ensure that patients understand what they will be expecting when they take these medicines.

Lastly, medical staffs need to have their shifts shortened. Research suggests that a staff who is fatigued has a higher tendency of making mistakes. It is important to ensure that medical staffs are well rested and that they adhere strictly to eighty-hour work week limits. If residents are having 30-hour shifts, they need only treat patients for 16 hours. Additionally, they should have 5-hour sleep time. If these measures are followed, patient safety will be greatly enhanced.