Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is a national advocacy force for addressing patient health and safety priorities that are shared by patients, physicians, regulators, and industry. We are an accredited provider of continuing medical education.
“The Joint Commission recognizes there is an opportunity to improve care for patients by improving the safety of opioid use in acute care settings given that data show opioids are among the top three drugs in which medication-related adverse events are reported. Opioids are necessary to prevent suffering, but there are risks related to potency, route of administration, and patient history. By engaging in a comprehensive approach to assessment, monitoring, and patient education, opioid overuse and associated harm can be prevented.”
“Monitoring only SPO2 does not assess adequacy of oxygenation, especially in patients receiving oxygen post op. Also, check q 2.5 hours allow too long a time for hypoxic brain damage to occur…continuous monitoring of ETCO2 and respiratory rate must be added.”