Family Medicine Practice Safety Protocols and Guidelines

1. Patient Safety Measures

Patient Identification

• Minimum two patient identifiers required (name and DOB)
• Verification at every patient encounter
• Matching identifiers with all documentation and specimens

Fall Prevention

• Regular environmental safety checks
• Non-slip flooring maintenance
• Proper lighting in all areas
• Clear pathway marking
• Assistance protocols for at-risk patients

2. Infection Control

Hand Hygiene

• WHO 5 moments of hand hygiene compliance
• Alcohol-based sanitizer stations at key locations
• Regular hand hygiene audits

PPE Protocols

• Standard precautions for all patient encounters
• Transmission-based precautions when indicated
• PPE availability in all clinical areas

3. Medical Equipment Safety

Equipment Maintenance

• Regular calibration schedule
• Documentation of maintenance
• Clear labeling of service dates
• Equipment cleaning protocols

Emergency Equipment

• Crash cart checks (daily)
• AED maintenance
• Emergency medication expiration monitoring

4. Medication Safety

Storage and Handling

• Temperature monitoring
• Proper segregation of look-alike medications
• Regular inventory checks
• Controlled substance protocols

Administration

• Five rights of medication administration
• Double-check system for high-risk medications
• Documentation requirements

5. Documentation and Reporting

Incident Reporting

• Clear reporting procedures
• Near-miss documentation
• Regular safety committee reviews
• Action plan development

Quality Metrics

• Monthly safety indicators review
• Compliance monitoring
• Staff feedback integration

6. Staff Safety

Workplace Safety

• Ergonomic assessments
• Proper lifting techniques
• Needle-stick prevention
• Violence prevention protocols

Emergency Response

• Fire safety procedures
• Evacuation routes
• Code responses
• Regular drills

7. Implementation and Training

Staff Education

• Annual safety training
• Competency assessments
• New procedure training
• Documentation of completion

Compliance Monitoring

• Regular audits
• Performance improvement plans
• Updated protocol distribution
• Feedback mechanisms