| [ Summary ] |
As an increasingly debilited, clinically complicated, or elderly population has been treated with dialysis, the current risk management in dialysis units has become highly strategic. This article will focus on 1) prevention of medical errors and associated incidents, 2) infection control, and 3) disaster planning. To prevent medical errors and other incidents, various guidelines have been developed in our unit, based on the analysis of the reported incidents, including accidental removal of a dialysis needle, disconnection of the blood line, inadequate ultrafiltration, and other common adverse events. Staff members are constantly reminded to follow such guidelines. For infection control, those guidelines implemented by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare are repeatedly utilized for staff education. For disaster planning, drills are conducted, which have proven to be particularly effective in establishing a high degree of preparedness. |