What is Client Safety?
Client Safety is about:
- Respect
- Ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients/clients
- Reducing/eliminating practices that could lead to or cause harm
- The core of what it means to work in health care
YOU CAN'T HAVE CLIENT SAFETY WITHOUT STAFF SAFETY!
CAMH's Commitment to Client Safety
CAMH has reinforced its commitment to client safety as one of the seven goals in our Strategic Plan:
Improve Care and Enhance Health
CAMH will improve client-centred quality care, enhance health and client safety and improve access to programs and services
Client Safety Highlights
The following are a few of the countless steps CAMH is taking to promote and improve client safety:
While wristbands are mandatory, all CAMH programs also need to have their own consistent second identification process in place. Some programs are taking pictures of clients that can be posted in separate binders, enabling staff to have a
visual identifier at hand. (Note: Consent must be obtained from the client/patient or their Substitute Decision Maker for
photos to be taken)
- Staff Identification - A photo ID card system is used for CAMH staff identification. Staff are asked to wear CAMH identification badges at all
times on CAMH sites. With thousands of employees and multiple sites, CAMH ID badges are important for security, emergency
response, and client service. It is the most effective means of identifying who has authorized access to secure areas, protecting
both clients and confidential information.
- Infection Control - The CAMH Infection Control Program is an integral part of our Occupational Health and Safety Services. It provides education
for health care providers, clients and visitors. As well as developing and regularly reviewing infection control policies
and procedures, this Program conducts infectious and communicable disease surveillance, outbreak management, reporting (as
mandated by federal, provincial and municipal laws) and compliance with related professional health regulations and standards.
The program is also in regular consultation with infection control teams of other health care institutions, CHICA-TPIC (Canada),
the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Toronto Public Health. The program also oversees Vaccinations and Mask Fit Testing
for staff.
Medications - Accurate medication reconciliation is vitally important to client safety and treatment. CAMH now has a formal process to
document and reconcile a client’s medications when they enter our system.
- Falls Prevention - In order to enhance client safety regarding Falls Prevention and Management, an inter-professional work group from CAMH’s
Geriatric Mental Health Program and other stakeholders came together in February 2007 to review best practices and develop
a Falls Prevention Program.
The program includes the following components: a policy, a screening tool, management strategies for clients at high risk,
and approved falls management products. The program is an inter-professional initiative, guided by client -entered and recovery-oriented
principles. It promotes a partnership between clients/families and their CAMH team to create a culture of safety in the area
of falls prevention in the in-patient units. Falls prevention strategies will respect the client’s autonomy, dignity and their
decision-making regarding individual risks.
Falls Prevention Brochure - English Version
Falls Prevention Brochure - French Version
- Patient Safety Resources
Over the last several years, there has been an increased focus on patient safety and a tremendous amount of literature and
research conducted on this topic. The following is a list of resources and links on patient safety.
Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CAN)
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (US)
National Patient Safety Foundation (US)
Ontario Hospital Association (CAN)
National Patient Safety Agency (UK)
Canadian Nurses Association (CAN)
World Health Organization
The Joint Commission (US)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US)