UTMB Health takes patient safety seriously. But the system can’t fix what it doesn’t know about, so staff reports are an important part of improving the patient experience. “Because You Reported” will let staff know what safety measures were taken in previous months based on staff reporting.
Handoff protocols
The process of transferring responsibility for care is referred to as a “handoff.” The Joint Commission requires all health care providers to implement a standardized approach to handoff communications, including the opportunity to ask and respond to questions, as well as:
- Updated list of in-house providers
- Gaps in coverage by hospitalists eliminated
- Anesthesia to provide arterial line assistance as needed to L&D
Workplace violence
Workplace violence has increased across many health care organizations these past few years. UTMB monitors workplace violence incidents on an ongoing basis. Reporting of such events can be completed through RL Datix under several different areas: Safety & Security, UTMB Employee Event and under the Professional Conduct section.
Below is a review of the number of Workplace Violence Reports through RL Datix from May 2022 through April 2023.
- June 2022 … 8
- July 2022 … 5
- August 2022 … 17
- September 2022 … 10
- October 2022 … 15
- November 2022 … 11
- December 2022 … 19
- January 2023 … 9
- February 2023 … 14
- March 2023 … 9
- April 2023 ... 9
UTMB employees' safety is a high priority and we investigate each event carefully. The incidents are reviewed by the Quality & Safety department, managers, safety committee and our campus police.
The Joint Commission defines workplace violence as an act or threat occurring at the workplace that can include any of the following: verbal, nonverbal, written, or physical aggression; threatening, intimidating, harassing, or humiliating words or actions; bullying; sabotage; sexual harassment; physical assaults; or other behaviors of concern involving staff, licensed practitioners, patients, or visitors.
Please make sure you report any events that occur as you care for patients so they can be investigated fully, and we can ensure the workplace is as safe as possible for all daily.