Journal & Resources
Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory
March 2018, Vol. 15, No. 1
Share Download Masthead
201803
​See the Action Agenda for this issue.
Reviews & Analyses
Latex: A Lingering and Lurking Safety Risk
After the topic of latex allergies surfaced in the 1980s, awareness grew and risk reduction strategies were created; however, a review of events reported through the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System questions the persistence of latex exposure protections.
Hot Topic: Nonsurgical Healthcare-Associated Burn Injuries
The issue of patient burns in nonsurgical areas has received less attention than patient burns in the operating room and lacks assessment and prevention strategies.
Focus on Infection Prevention
Data Snapshot: Group A Streptococcus in Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Facilities
Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) can cause severe, life-threatening illness among the elderly, particularly long-term care residents. Effective surveillance, monitoring, and adherence to infection prevention practices can help identify iGAS cases early and help prevent outbreaks.
Updates
Update on Wrong-Site Surgery: More Data Provides More Insight
This update provides an overview of the wrong-site events over time, as well as a focused analysis of the events reported between October 2016 and September 2017.
Other Features
Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept It
A member of the editorial board and patient voice council discusses the advantages of high-value education for providers, which ultimately benefits patients.
Safety Stories
This recurring feature highlights successes of healthcare workers in keeping patients safe; in this instance, identifying when a component of a system was missing.
Celebrate the 2018 I Am Patient Safety Winners
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority’s annual I Am Patient Safety contest promotes individuals and groups within Pennsylvania’s healthcare facilities who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to patient safety. It is with great pleasure that the Authority shares the stories of the 2018 contest winners.