Skip to content
Course Content
Why Patient safety Matters in the Emergency Room
Reinforce urgency with local context (e.g., Ridge Hospital incident in the media) to connect emotionally. Fast-paced, high-risk environment → errors can be fatal. African EDs face staff shortages, overcrowding, and limited resources.
0/2
Common Patient Safety Risk in the ED
Workplace violence affects staff safety. The lesson shows where things go wrong most often so staff can recognize red flags early.
0/1
WHO Patient safety Goals for Emergency Care and the Swiss cheese model of safety.
These are the safety goals by the WHO recommendation. The Swiss Cheese model is a simple explanation - No one mistake causes harm. It's usually a chain of small failures. Staff must act as barriers, not holes.
0/1
Patient Safety Essentials
These are the non-negotiable basics every Emergency Department team member must master.
0/2
Team work & communication at the ED
Strong communication saves lives and reduces conflict, especially in high-pressure ED Situations. Remind staff that a safe, protected team can provide safer patient care.
0/1
Tools and checklist
Printable Patient Safety checklist
0/1
Patient safety Essentials in the Emergency Department.

These are some Patient Safety Essentials that are not negotiable for every ED member. 

  • Accurate patient identification
  • Safe medication practices
  • Infection prevention and control (IPC)
  • Effective communication (SBAR)
  • Respectful patient-centered care

Tools and checklists to improve care

  • Triage red flag checklist
  • Standardized handover (SBAR) – Handover protocol
  • Regular monitoring & documentation
  • Incident reporting systems
  • Medication Double Check SOP
  • Infection Control Routine. 

Check materials for samples