[Identification of simple safe practices in a primary care area]

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the safe practices (SP) prepared by the Health Risk Management Functional Unit (UFGRS), according to their complexity of introduction and the impact on patient safety, and to identify simple SP.

Material and methods: A number of important SP have been prepared by the UFGRS of Madrid Health Area 4 Primary Care (PC). They were subsequently assessed according to their complexity of introduction and their potential impact on patient safety, simple SP (SSP) for the prevention of adverse events, low complexity of introduction and impact on patient safety. Lastly, the barriers to their effective introduction were identified, and actions were designed to overcome these barriers.

Results: Of the 50 PS prepared, 42 have been applied in the whole Area. Seven Level 1 SP (which fulfil the ideal conditions) were identified as simple SP. The main barriers were due to lack of training, culture, leadership of the management teams and professionals of the centre and lack of knowledge of the SPs.

Conclusions: A large number of SP has been prepared by the UFGRS, with simple SP being identified for PC. The majority of these have to do with the safe use of drugs and vaccines.