Patient Safety & Risk Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CDC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Safety & Risk Management flashcards as text
A patient presents with a latex allergy. Which scheduling consideration is most appropriate for patient safety?
Answer: Schedule the patient as the first appointment of the day after a latex-free setup
Scheduling the latex-allergic patient first minimizes airborne latex particle exposure and allows adequate time to prepare a latex-free environment.
Which federal regulation requires dental practices to have a written Exposure Control Plan?
Answer: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard mandates that all practices with occupational exposure maintain a written, annually reviewed Exposure Control Plan.
A 'never event' in patient safety terminology refers to:
Answer: A serious preventable medical error that should never occur, such as wrong-site surgery
Never events are serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents (e.g., wrong-site tooth extraction) that should never happen with proper safeguards.
To reduce the risk of wrong-tooth extraction, which verification step is most effective immediately before extraction?
Answer: Confirm the tooth number by reviewing current radiographs and the signed treatment plan with the patient
Reviewing current radiographs and confirming the tooth number with the signed treatment plan and patient provides a critical safety checkpoint before extraction.
When a dental record is subpoenaed, the practice should:
Answer: Provide the original or certified copies as requested and document the release
Records must be produced as requested by a valid subpoena; alterations or destruction of records constitute obstruction of justice.
A Dental Consultant reviewing a malpractice case notes that the clinical notes were altered after the patient filed a complaint. This is known as:
Answer: Spoliation of evidence
Spoliation of evidence refers to the intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence, which can severely harm a defense in litigation.
Which scenario represents the concept of 'respondeat superior' in dental malpractice?
Answer: An employer dentist is held liable for negligent acts of an employee dental hygienist performed within the scope of employment
Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine holding employers liable for employees' negligent acts committed within the scope of their employment.