6 Patient Safety in Clinical Practice
Learn how individual practice, communication, hazard reporting, and event response work together to prevent avoidable harm in clinical care.
Foundations of
Preventing avoidable harm depends on careful individual practice and reliable systems. Clear procedures, effective teamwork, usable equipment, and an environment where people can raise concerns all contribute to safety.
Communicate and verify
Communication is safest when it is clear, timely, directed to the right person, and confirmed. —Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation—organizes urgent updates. A closes the communication loop: the receiver repeats key information and the sender confirms it. For example, after one person says, “The blood pressure is 80/48,” another can reply, “Confirmed, 80/48,” and the first can confirm, “Correct.”
Handoffs and patient verification
A should communicate the patient's current condition, relevant history, changes, pending tasks, uncertainties, and contingency plan. Clarify who is taking responsibility, allow questions, and confirm that the receiver accepts the .
For patient identification, use at least two approved identifiers and match the patient to the intended care. Never rely on a room or bed number alone. To check understanding of important instructions, use : ask the patient to explain the instructions in their own words. Use a qualified interpreter when needed.
Recognize hazards and speak up
Watch for changes in a patient's condition and for conditions that could cause harm. Examples include a sudden change in breathing or alertness, a medication or allergy discrepancy, a wet floor, cluttered walking paths, damaged equipment, or a missed detail.
If something seems unsafe, pause when possible, check the facts, and speak up promptly. Make both the risk and the requested action explicit—for example: “I’m concerned this may be the wrong dose—let’s verify it before giving it.”
Report hazards and events
Report hazards, errors, near misses, and events that caused harm through the organization's reporting process. Report promptly and factually, including what happened, when and where it happened, who or what was affected, immediate actions taken, and any witnesses or contributing conditions. Follow local policy.
A report does not replace required clinical documentation or notification, and telling a colleague does not necessarily meet reporting requirements. Reporting supports learning, but it does not replace taking action to address an immediate risk.
Respond to a safety event
When an event occurs, first protect the patient and prevent further harm. Assess the patient, provide or summon appropriate care, and alert the responsible clinician or emergency response team as indicated. Secure or remove an immediate hazard if it is safe to do so.
Next, notify the appropriate supervisor and follow organizational procedures for documentation, reporting, and communication with the patient and family. Communicate truthfully, compassionately, and promptly; formal disclosure should be handled through the appropriate care team and process. Organizations should review events for contributing system factors and make improvements. Staff and patients may also need support after an event.
Connect safety practices
Safe practice brings together vigilance, reliable verification, clear handoffs, and willingness to speak up. When a hazard or event occurs, protect the patient first, communicate and report promptly, document objectively, and support learning that can reduce the chance of recurrence.