Resolution: S-20-18: SUPPORT A CULTURE OF PATIENT SAFETY AND SPEAKING UP FROM MEDICAL STUDENTS AND PRECEPTORS IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS

[Valerie Lile]

1  WHEREAS, needlestick injuries and underreporting of these injuries is common amongst medical
2  students putting both their safety and patient safety at risk⁽²⁾; and

3  WHEREAS, 47% of residents who experienced their most recent needlestick injury during medical
4  school did not report their injury to their preceptor or school administrators⁽²⁾; and

5  WHEREAS, a study showed that 46% of medical students were unaware of the “difference between
6  simple hand washing and antiseptic hand washing”⁽³⁾; an

7  WHEREAS, “66.5% of students were dissatisfied by [their] hospital hygiene training [and] judged
8  insufficient and unfit for their practice”⁽³⁾; and

9 WHEREAS, competency in basic aseptic technique is necessary to function effectively in healthcare
10 settings⁽⁴⁾; and

11  WHEREAS, a study showed that a discouraging outlook on reporting medical errors decreases the
12  frequency of trainees speaking up when witnessing a surgical error⁽⁵⁾; and
13  WHEREAS, hesitancy to speak up contributes to the medical error and increased vulnerability to
14  patient safety(6); and

15  WHEREAS, appropriate communication has a positive influence on speak-up attitudes, behavior of
16  healthcare providers and effective safety improvement outcomes⁽⁶⁾; and
17  WHEREAS, speak-up training for healthcare providers decreases the rate of medical error and
18  increases patient safety(6); and now, therefore be it

19  RESOLVED, that the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) supports a culture of patient
20  safety and speaking up from medical students and preceptors in healthcare settings; and be it further

21  RESOLVED, that the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) encourages the American
22  Osteopathic Association to support a culture of patient safety and speaking up from medical school
23  students and preceptors in healthcare settings.

Explanatory Statement

Medical students have expressed they feel underprepared for ambiguous situations that arise in clinical years. The fear of negative repercussions that could follow by asking for help has led to two-thirds of students not adequately washing their hands and half of needlestick injuries going unreported. By supporting a culture of patient safety and speaking up, we can make strides towards students feeling comfortable asking for the support they need from their attending, leading to improved outcomes for our patients.

References

1. Quick Reference Guide to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. United States Department of Labor.  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/bloodborne_quickref.html
2. Sharma, G. K., Gilson, M. M., Nathan, H., & Makary, M. A. (2009). Needlestick injuries among medical students: incidence and implications, 84(12), 1815–1821. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19940594.
3. Duroy, E., Le Coutour X. (2010). Hospital hygiene and medical students. 40(9):530-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20447787
4. Leeper, K., Stegall, M.S., & Stegall M.H. (2002). Basic aseptic technique for medical students: identifying essential entry level competencies, 59(1): 69-73. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16093107
5. Salazar, M., Minkoff, H., Bayya, J., Gillett, B., Onoriode, H., Weedon, J., Altshuler, L., Fisher, N. (2014). Influence of Surgeon Behavior on Trainee Willingness to Speak Up: A Randomized Controlled Trial, 219(5): 1001-1007. Retrieved from https://www.journalacs.org/article/S1072-7515(14)01469-0/pdf.
6. Okuyama A, Wagner C, Bijnen B. Speaking up for patient safety by hospital-based health care professionals: a literature review. (2014). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4016383/

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Submitted by:

Jacqueline Chung, OMS II – Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences COM
Aubrey Euteneuer, OMS II – Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences COM
James Kramer, MA, OMS II – Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences COM
Jenna Seeley, MA, OMS II – Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences COM

 

Action Taken:
Date:
Effective Time Period: Ongoing

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