Standardization Projects
Promoting Consistency
Washington hospitals have come together to create standardized practices which will reduce harm, make providing safe care easier for physicians and staff, and simplify training. With a mobile staff and patient population, this effort is designed to reduce confusion and avoid potential harm to patients.
Below are resources for implementing emergency code calls, isolation precautions signage, wristbands, and surgical checklist.
Standardized Emergency Code Calls
The purpose of emergency code calls is to quickly communicate an emergency and to mobilize expert assistance i.e. code red for fire.
Emergency Codes Executive Summary
Emergency Codes Implementation Toolkit
Emergency Code Educational PowerPoint (to see entire content view "with notes")
Badges and posters can be ordered through the WSHA bookstore.
For a copy of the "In Design" files of the Emergency Codes Badge, Stickers, and Poster, email carolw@wsha.org.
Best Practices from Washington Hospitals
Franciscan Health System Poster
Isolation Precautions Signage
The standardized isolation precautions signage is used to eliminate transmission of infections between patients, such as MRSA. The signs have been shared with patients and hospital staf and commended by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and The Joint Commission.
Toolkits
Executive Summary
Isolation Precautions Implementation Toolkit
Powerpoint Presentation (to see entire content view "with notes")
Signs (Precautions on front, Staff information on back)
Laminated and un-laminated copies are also available for purchase through the WSHA bookstore)
Standard Precautions
Contact Isolation Precautions
Contact Enteric Isolation Precautions
Droplet Isolation Precautions
Airborne Contact Isolation Precautions
Airborne Respirator Isolation Precautions
Special Precautions
Patient & Family Education Sheets
Available in English, Spanish, Russian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Korean in MS Word format below
Contact Isolation Precautions - English
Contact Enteric Isolation Precautions - English
Droplet Isolation Precautions - English
Airborne Contact Isolation Precautions - Ensligh
Airborne Respirator Isolation Precautions - English
MS Word Format - Signs and Education Sheets - Patient and Family sheets in Word format in English, Spanish, Russian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Korean
Log of Changes - The documents the changes made to the isolation signage based on hospital feedback
Precaution Symbols - This document includes links to isolation precaution symbols available for download.
Type and Duration of Isolation Precautions - CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2007 lists the type and duration of precautions for selected infections and conditions.
Wristbands (if using)
Color-coded wristbands are used in some hospitals to alert staff to important information about a patient. If a hospital uses wristbands, it is recommended that the national standard colors be used. (e.g., allergy).
Wristbands Executive Summary
Wristband Implementation Toolkit
Standardization Power Point Presentation
Best Practices from Washington Hospital
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Hospitals world wide are encouraged to adopt a surgical safety checklist initiated by the World Health Organization and endorsed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
The Washington State Hospital Association is supporting this effort at the request of members who are looking for ways to reduce harm to patients. They believe this process is important because many of our staff and physicians work in multiple hospitals. For questions or feedback, please email carolw@wsha.org or call (206) 577-1831.
