---
title: Patient Safety Awareness Week
description: Patient Safety Awareness Week is from March 13 to March 19 in 2016! Check out our Los Angeles nursing school blog for more!
---

[The Nightingale Blog | Los Angeles Nursing School | LVN Programs ](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale)

# [Patient Safety Awareness Week](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale/patient-safety-awareness-week)

 Written by [Taylor Miranda](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale/author/taylor-miranda) | Mar 14, 2016 8:30:00 PM

## Nursing Program in Los Angeles

Do you know about the *invisible* healthcare crisis happening across hospitals in the US?   
Antibiotic resistance isn't just a problem in the meat we eat... 

Read more to find out about these antibiotic-resistant bacteria! 

### 1. "CDC says..."

Check out this fact on the official [CDC Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/CDC/): "Patients can get serious infections called **healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)**, which are often caused by antibiotic-resistant germs." 

HAIs are commonly caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which may lead to[sepsis](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/home/ovc-20169784) (a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection) or death. Check out the [facts](http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/protect-patients/index.html) below:

- > **6** urgent or serious antibiotic-resistant threats, plus *C. difficile*, can cause HAIs.
- > **50%** of one common deadly HAI is currently being prevented.
- > **1 in 4** catheter- and surgery-related HAIs are caused by six resistant bacteria in certain kinds of hospitals.

## 2. The Dirty Truth

These six bacteria are among the most deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria, identified as urgent or serious threats by CDC:

- **CRE** (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae),
- **MRSA** (methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* ),
- **ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae** (extended-spectrum ß-lactamases),
- **VRE** (vancomycin-resistant enterococci),
- multi-drug resistant **pseudomonas**, and
- multi-drug resistant ***Acinetobacter***.

## 3. What can YOU do? 

**If you are a healthcare provider**, to prevent infections and their spread, also improving antibiotic use:

- Follow recommendations for preventing *C. difficile* and infections that can occur after surgery or related to single-use catheters placed in the body.
- Follow recommended actions with every patient every time.
- Isolate patients when appropriate, and know antibiotic resistance patterns in your facility/area.
- Prescribe antibiotics correctly.
- Get cultures, start antibiotics promptly, and reassess 24-48 hours later.
- Know when to stop antibiotic treatment.

I**f you are a patient and/or a family member of a hospitalized patient**, you can prevent infections and their spread by doing the following:

- If you have a catheter, ask daily if it’s necessary.
- If you are having surgery, ask your doctor how he/she prevents infections.
- Insist that everyone clean their hands before touching you.
- Clean your hands often.
- Explore the [Hospital Compare tool](https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html) for HAI data<https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html>
- Ask if your antibiotic is necessary and what is being done to improve antibiotic use and protect patients.

## 4. Spread the Word, Not the Germs!

Show your support and use #UnitedforPatientSafety this week (March 13-19)!   
**"Every day is Patient Safety Day"** 

 

"**[United for Patient Safety](http://www.unitedforpatientsafety.org/about_the_campaign)** is an ongoing education and engagement campaign that works to bring together diverse organizations with a commitment to patient safety and the general public to learn more about the topic, start important dialogue, and take action for improved safety conditions."

###  Related Links

[How to Insert a Foley Catheter ](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/thenightingale/how-to-insert-a-foley-catheter)

[Proper Eye Drop Instillation](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/thenightingale/proper-eye-drop-instillation) 

[Proper Hand Washing Technique ](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/thenightingale/proper-hand-washing-technique)

[How to De-Stress Your Life](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/thenightingale/how-to-de-stress-your-life)

### Sources

[National Health Observances Calendar](https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/nhoyear.aspx?year=2016)

[CDC: Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CDC/)

[CDC: "Making Health Care Safer](http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/protect-patients/index.html)"

[Mayo Clinic: Sepsis](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/home/ovc-20169784)

United for Patient Safety

 

[View full post](https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale/patient-safety-awareness-week)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Taylor Miranda"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2020-07-15T22:12:42.717Z",
  "datePublished" : "2016-03-14T20:30:00Z",
  "headline" : "Patient Safety Awareness Week",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 900,
    "url" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/720019/safety.png",
    "width" : 1500
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/nightingale/patient-safety-awareness-week",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "The Nightingale"
  }
}
```