Resource for teaching residents about The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals

By: Julie McCoy February 27th, 2009

In March’s issue of Residency Program Alert, I wrote an article about how to tie The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) in to core competency training.

Many GME professionals and hospital quality managers told me they’re shocked at how many residents have never heard of the NPSGs. Many residents don’t realize that the NPSGs are behind many of the processes that they have to follow everyday as they care for patients.

Orientation is a great time to introduce residents to the NPSGs, says Constance K. Haan, MD, MS, senior associate dean of educational affairs and designated institutional official at Unviersity of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville.

She developed a matrix that gives residents all the information they need to know about the NPSGs. Listen to her explain what’s on the handout, and consider developing your own for next year’s new residents.

Tell us how you teach residents about the NPSGs in the comment box below.

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Download a copy of Haan’s NPSG Policy and Procedures to use as a template for your own handout. Obviously, a lot of the information included is specific to Haan’s institution, but it gives you a great start!