Abu Dhabi DOH Standards & Patient Safety Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) following a sentinel event in a DOH-licensed facility?

Answer: Identify system and process failures contributing to the event, not to assign individual blame

RCA is a structured, non-punitive, systems-focused investigation that identifies contributing causes and root causes of serious events. The goal is to design system improvements that prevent recurrence. A just culture separates human error (system design issues) from reckless behavior (individual accountability).

According to DOH Abu Dhabi, what is the required frequency for checking and documenting vital signs in a general medical ward patient?

Answer: Frequency depends on clinical condition and physician orders; minimum typically every 4–8 hours for stable patients

Vital sign frequency in Abu Dhabi hospitals is guided by the patient's acuity, physician orders, and clinical deterioration protocols (EWS/NEWS). Stable ward patients may be monitored every 4–8 hours; deteriorating or high-risk patients require more frequent assessment. Clinical judgment drives frequency.

Which DOH Abu Dhabi standard addresses the safe use of look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) medications?

Answer: DOH medication safety standards require LASA drugs to be stored separately, clearly labeled with tall-man lettering, and listed in a facility LASA registry

LASA medication errors are a significant cause of adverse drug events. DOH/JCI standards require: a facility-specific LASA list, separate storage, tall-man lettering (e.g., hydrOXYzine vs. hydrALAzine), warning labels, and staff education. These are measurable elements of JCI medication safety standards.

A patient deteriorates rapidly on a general ward. A nurse believes the treating team is not acting urgently enough. What is the appropriate escalation mechanism in Abu Dhabi hospitals?

Answer: Activate the Rapid Response Team (RRT) or Medical Emergency Team (MET) according to calling criteria

Rapid Response Teams or Medical Emergency Teams exist specifically to prevent ICU admissions and cardiac arrests by responding early to clinical deterioration. Any nurse, patient, or family member can activate the RRT when clinical concern exists. Early escalation is encouraged and consistent with DOH patient safety culture.

Under DOH Abu Dhabi policy, what patient information must be verified using two identifiers before any clinical procedure?

Answer: Patient's full name and DOH/hospital medical record number (MRN) or date of birth

Two patient identifiers (full name and MRN or date of birth) must be verified before every medication administration, blood sampling, procedure, and treatment. Room number and bed number are NOT acceptable identifiers as patients move. This is a universal JCI patient safety requirement.

A nurse suspects a colleague is impaired (under the influence of substances) at work. What is the ethical and professional obligation?

Answer: Report immediately to the nurse manager or appropriate authority; patient safety is the priority

A nurse who is impaired poses a direct, immediate threat to patient safety. Professional codes of conduct (nursing codes and DOH standards) require immediate reporting to protect patients. A just culture supports reporting impaired colleagues as an obligation of professional practice, not a betrayal.