Patient safety: LUTH CMD harps on eliminating diagnostic error

The Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, says patient’s safety remains a top priority of the hospital.

Adeyemo gave the assurance at a lecture organised by the hospital in commemoration of the World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The WPDS had the theme: “Improving Diagnosis For Patient Safety” with the slogan: “Get It Right and Make It Safe”.

NAN reports that the day is celebrated annually on Sept. 16, to increase public awareness and engagement, enhance global understanding, and spur global solidarity and action to promote patient safety.

The chief medical director called for collective efforts of all health workers toward fostering patient safety.

He said that the Federal Government was concerned about patient safety and consequently encouraged its hospitals to celebrate the day.

According to him, the Federal Government has invested much money in health infrastructure.

He said that health workers should use take advantage of the infrastructure to treat patients and ensure their safety.

“The issue of patient safety is taken very seriously not only by my leadership, but also by the Federal Government.

“Without the patient, we are jobless. We are here because of patients. Therefore, patients must be safe in the hands of the doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and all other health workers.

“Diagnosis must be done accurately because it is the beginning of patient safety and survival,” Adeyemo said.

A Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Ayesha Akinkugbe, said that fostering patient safety required collective efforts of all stakeholders in the healthcare system.

Akinkugbe, a guest speaker at the programme, said that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, patients, even security guards in health facilities and all other workers in the health system had roles to play in ensuring safety of the patient.

According to her, there is need for team work and cooperation among stakeholders in the healthcare system to guarantee patient safety.

She said that diagnostic error caused about 16 per cent of patient harm; hence, the need for accurate diagnosis.

Akinkugbe urged health workers to keep update their knowledge and skills, consult their peers, work as a team, think critically and improve continuously in order to eliminate error in diagnosis.

“Addressing medical error is crucial for patient safety, trust and outcomes.

“To get accurate diagnosis requires the cooperations of the patient and that of his/her relatives,” Akinkugbe said.

She emphasised the need for effective communication among patients, health workers and hospital management.

She called on policymakers to provide conducive work environment, resources and equipment needed for effective operation of the health system.

“In ensuring patient safety, policymakers are not left out; they should provide conducive work environment.

“There is also need to encourage research and provide room for training and re-training of health workers to improve their services toward ensuring patient safety.