Patient Safety and Emergency Preparedness Flashcards

What is the role of patient access during a hospital-wide disaster or mass casualty event?

Answer: Activate surge registration protocols, implement rapid triage-based registration, and coordinate patient tracking

Patient access plays a critical role in disaster response with rapid registration and patient tracking protocols.

How does patient access contribute to fall prevention?

Answer: By identifying fall risk factors during registration and communicating to clinical staff

Patient access can screen for fall risk factors during registration and ensure clinical staff are informed.

What is the purpose of the hospital 'Code' system, and how should patient access staff respond?

Answer: Codes are standardized emergency alerts requiring all staff to know their specific role in each response

Emergency codes require all staff including patient access to understand and respond per their designated role.

A patient at registration shows signs of a possible stroke. What should the representative do?

Answer: Immediately alert clinical staff or activate the stroke response protocol, then complete registration after emergency evaluation

Stroke is a time-critical emergency where clinical evaluation must take immediate priority over registration.

What is patient access's role in infection prevention?

Answer: Screening for symptoms and exposures, enforcing masking protocols, maintaining clean areas, and isolating symptomatic patients

As the first point of contact, patient access plays a crucial role in infection screening and prevention.

What is the Safe Haven or Safe Surrender law, and how does it affect patient access?

Answer: Allows parents to anonymously surrender newborns at hospitals without criminal prosecution, requiring specific registration and notification protocols

Safe Haven laws protect parents who surrender newborns and require healthcare facilities to accept and care for them.