Mitigates fall injuries and elevates patient safety with POA
Xanitos Patient Observation Assistant Program Successfully mitigates fall injuries and elevates safety for patients with mental health conditions
Patient observation services play a crucial role in keeping patients safe by providing continuous monitoring and timely intervention. According to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, effective patient observation significantly reduces the risk of self-harm and suicide among individuals with mental health conditions. The study revealed a 30% decrease in suicide attempts when patients were consistently observed and supported.
When our Xanitos POA program is implemented in healthcare facilities, it can ensure that trained professionals are closely monitoring patients, identifying warning signs and intervening promptly in crisis situations. Additionally, a report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) emphasizes the importance of continuous observation in preventing harmful behaviors. Timely responses to signs of distress enable healthcare providers to implement appropriate interventions, whether through therapeutic interventions, medication adjustments, or other necessary measures.
By offering a safety net for those struggling with mental health challenges, patient observation services contribute significantly to saving lives and improving overall outcomes for individuals grappling with mental illnesses.
In the realm of mental health care, patient observation services play a pivotal role, particularly for high-risk individuals requiring specialized attention in hospitals. The importance of these services cannot be overstated as they contribute significantly to the safety and well-being of patients facing mental health challenges.
The Vulnerability of Mental Health Patients
Mental health patients face a range of challenges that make them high-risk patients in a hospital environment. For high-risk mental health patients, constant observation is vital to prevent self-harm, suicide attempts, or any escalation of their condition. Patient observation services involve trained professionals who closely monitor and assess the patient's behavior, ensuring immediate intervention in case of any concerning developments. This continuous surveillance provides a safety net, offering peace of mind to both patients and their families.
The Importance of Close Observation
Continuous observation of mental health patients is paramount for several reasons:
- Early intervention: Close monitoring allows healthcare providers to identify warning signs and intervene promptly. Whether it's recognizing signs of self-harm or preventing aggressive outbursts, immediate action can save lives.
- Medication adherence: Observing patients ensures they take their prescribed medications as directed. This helps stabilize their condition and reduces the risk of relapse.
- Prevention of self-harm: Mental health patients often struggle with self-harm tendencies. Regular observation enables healthcare staff to remove potential tools for self-harm and provide support when necessary.
- Creating a therapeutic environment: Feeling safe and secure is crucial for the recovery of mental health patients. Knowing that they are being observed and cared for can enhance their trust in the medical team and promote a therapeutic atmosphere.
- Communication and assessment: Frequent observation allows healthcare providers to gather valuable data about a patient's condition, enabling them to tailor treatment plans effectively.
Furthermore, patient observation services contribute to the overall effectiveness of mental health treatment plans. By closely monitoring patients, healthcare professionals can gather valuable insights into their condition, enabling timely adjustments to medication, therapy, or other interventions. This tailored approach enhances the chances of successful outcomes and helps avoid potential crises.
The collaborative nature of patient observation services also fosters communication between healthcare providers, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the patient's mental health status. This teamwork enables a more holistic approach to treatment, addressing the unique needs of high-risk individuals.
By having Xanitos POA associates provide all 1-on-1 observations, nursing and the clinical team can operate at the top end of their license. Our POA program is designed to be a support and aide for the clinical team. This allows nursing to prioritize other patient care needs, ultimately resulting in a best-in-class patient care experience.
In conclusion, patient observation services in hospitals are indispensable for high-risk mental health patients. They provide a critical layer of support, promoting a safe environment, facilitating effective treatment, and ultimately improving the overall quality of care. As mental health awareness continues to grow, investing in and prioritizing patient observation services is essential for creating a healthcare system that truly meets the needs of those facing severe mental health challenges.
Suicide Observations
- Highest priority for filling of request
- Heavily regulated as part of the patient safety platform for TJC and other regulatory agencies
Safety Observations
- Generally, patients at-risk for fall's
- Elimination of falls, fall with harm can cost a hospital on an average of $50,000
POA Leadership
- Three daily checkpoints (1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift) between Xanitos leadership and nursing.
- Xanitos POA leadership will respond within 30 mins with the requests that can be filled at each check point.
- Leadership performs a quality assessment on each POA associate a minimum of four times monthly.
Education
- BLS and CPR Certification annual competencies
- New hire competency training
- 4 hour of shadow training with certified trainer
- De-escalation training
- Daily huddles
- Annual re-training
Benefits of Xanitos POA program
- Labor Savings, up to 50% or more
- Improved fill rate of requested Observations 90%+
- Ability for hospital to reallocate nursing and clinical resources.
- Ability for Xanitos to cross-train support service staff, thereby improving overall staffing flexibility and reducing overtime.
- Improved Regulatory Compliance, through a dedicated program and expertise.
- Increased Retention %’s for hospital, by transitioning a high turnover department.
- Increased Patient and Nursing Satisfaction
Your healthcare facility can decrease fall injuries and improve patient safety, through utilization of Xanitos' POA Program. Please contact one of our specialists Charles Sweesy and Dacin Marshall to learn how Xanitos can tailor our POA program to best serve your patient population.
