The Swiss Cheese Model of Safety at Edgerton Hospital: How Quality Health Services are Delivered
The Swiss Cheese Model is a safety methodology used by Edgerton Hospital to ensure that quality health services are delivered to patients. This model is based on the concept that human error is inevitable and that no single solution is effective enough to prevent all incidents. The Swiss Cheese Model consists of several layers, and each of these layers has its own unique role in improving the hospital’s safety protocol.
Layers of the Swiss Cheese Model
The first layer of the Swiss Cheese Model is communication and teamwork. In this layer, all hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, work together to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. This involves open communication, effective collaboration, and a shared responsibility for the patient’s well-being.
The second layer is training and education. In this layer, staff members receive periodic training and education to keep them well-informed about the latest medical developments and changes in protocol. This helps ensure that all staff members are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality care to patients.
The third layer of the Swiss Cheese Model is technology. In this layer, Edgerton Hospital invests in state-of-the-art technology to improve the efficiency and quality of care provided to patients. This includes electronic medical records, advanced diagnostic tools, and patient-centric technologies that help patients manage their health effectively.
The fourth and final layer is human factors. In this layer, Edgerton Hospital recognizes that human error is inevitable and that no single solution can prevent all incidents. To this end, the hospital actively gathers data on incidents and near-misses, uses this data to identify areas for improvement, and implements changes to reduce the risk of future incidents.
Case Study: The Impact of the Swiss Cheese Model at Edgerton Hospital
One example of the Swiss Cheese Model in action can be seen in the hospital’s pharmacy department. In 2018, there was an incident where a patient received the wrong medication due to a communication error between the pharmacy and the nurse administering the medication. This incident was immediately investigated by the hospital’s quality improvement team, who identified weaknesses in the hospital’s communication protocols and implemented changes to improve staff training and communication.
Two years later, another incident occurred where a nurse administered the wrong dosage of medication to a patient. However, due to the changes implemented after the first incident, this error was caught before it caused harm to the patient. Subsequent investigations revealed that the hospital’s new communication protocols played a crucial role in preventing harm to the patient.
Conclusion
The Swiss Cheese Model is an effective safety methodology used by Edgerton Hospital to improve the quality of health services provided to patients. By using a multi-layered approach that emphasizes communication, education, technology, and human factors, the hospital ensures that all staff members are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality care to patients. With this model, Edgerton Hospital has achieved a high level of patient safety and continues to make improvements to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
