GPS Home » Sentinel Event Alert #47
Sentinel Event Alert #47
Learn how Global Physics Solutions can help you incorporate actions suggested by The Joint Commission into your radiation safety program.
The Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert #47 (SEA#47) - Independent Radiation Safety Program Audit is an expert, external audit, specifically designed to help you address issues raised in SEA#47 as well a the rapidly evolving technology, safety and regulatory needs in medical imaging. Independent Radiation Safety Program Audits are conducted by an experienced LANDAUER medical physicist. The audit begins review of the requested documents prior to the meeting; followed by a half-day on-site audit, consisting of a series of interview with key members of the medical imaging and radiation safety teams. The purpose of the audit is to assess progress and identify gaps at your facility with respect to the patient safety issues raised in SEA#47.
Examples of topics covered during the audit include:
- Right Test - ACR Appropriateness Criteria
- Right Dose - ALARA guidelines
- Effective Processes - Radiation safety policies and procedures
- Safe Technology - Regular equipment inspection, QA, preventative maintenance and upgrades
- Additional Best Practices
Within 30 days of the on-site visit, we will provide a written report documenting progress and opportunities for incorporating SEA#47, and additional best practicse, into your radiation safety program, as well as a customized action plan with specific recommendations and suggested prioritization, addressing opportunites identified during audit process.
The Joint Commission accredits the large majority of hospitals in the USA and performs unannounced surveys (inspections). Hospitals typically devote significant energy and resources to preparing for these surveys, to avoid deficiencies. Since the Joint Commission publishes Sentinel Event alerts relatively infrequently (about 2 per year), they represent specific ares of their attention.
Sentinel Event Alert #47 (SEA#47) outlines risks associated with diagnostic radiation, and steps and procedures to reduce the chance of a radiation-related Sentinel Event. Suggested steps and procedures exceed requirements of most states. Having a completed SEA #47 Audit and an action plan in place would be the ideal way to demonstrate that your facility has taken this issue seriously, and embarked on a program to address these important patient safety issues.