Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
06:43
Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
Published on: November 21, 2017
25.2K
Learning from the design, development and implementation of the Medication Safety Thermometer
Paryaneh Rostami1, Maxine Power2, Abigail Harrison2
1Manchester Pharmacy School, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
Summary
Medication errors harm patients, but safety data is rarely collected. The Medication Safety Thermometer was developed to measure and improve medication safety over time, aiding healthcare organizations in identifying and reducing harm.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare quality improvement
- Patient safety
- Medication safety measurement
Background:
- Approximately 10% of patients experience healthcare-related harm, with 15% attributed to medication errors.
- Routine collection of medication safety data for improvement is lacking in healthcare organizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a prospective tool for measuring and improving medication safety over time.
- To create the 'Medication Safety Thermometer' based on the NHS Safety Thermometer methodology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) methodology facilitated by a multidisciplinary steering group.
- Underwent 9 months of alpha and beta testing, with ongoing user feedback driving 16 versions of the tool from 2013 to 2016.
Main Results:
- The Medication Safety Thermometer is now used nationally across over 100 NHS organizations.
- Over 230,000 patients have been surveyed, with data openly accessible on a dedicated website.
Conclusions:
- Measuring medication harm is complex, requiring assessment of errors, triggers, and actual harm.
- The PDSA methodology is effective for developing measurement systems.
- Point-of-care measurement and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for enhancing medication safety.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
1.8K
Here are the steps to accurately measure oral temperature using an electronic thermometer:
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
1.8K
01:13Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature
2.0K
Body temperature can be assessed using various devices and measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Glass-bulb Thermometer:
Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip containing liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Historically, glass bulb mercury thermometers were the standard device to measure body temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are prohibited in many countries due to the hazardous effects of mercury and the risk of exposure if the glass bulb breaks. In general,...
Glass-bulb Thermometer:
Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip containing liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Historically, glass bulb mercury thermometers were the standard device to measure body temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are prohibited in many countries due to the hazardous effects of mercury and the risk of exposure if the glass bulb breaks. In general,...
2.0K
01:19Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery
1.4K
Here is a stepwise guide to assessing the body temperature at the temporal artery using a temporal artery thermometer
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's...
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's...
1.4K
01:28Dosage Regimens: Designs and Approaches
411
Designing a dosage regimen, which refers to the manner of drug administration, is a complex process involving the selection of drug dose, route, and frequency. This process is underpinned by pharmacokinetic parameters derived from tests and population averages. These parameters are then tailored to patient-specific variables such as diagnosis, demographics, and allergy status. Once therapy commences, therapeutic response monitoring is critical and achieved through clinical and physical...
411
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla
1.6K
Procedural Guide for Assessing Axillary Body Temperature using a Digital Thermometer:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...
1.6K
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
48
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
48