Regulatory & Environmental Safety
True or False: The nurse has 60 minutes to notify a provider of a critical lab result.
What is False?
Critical results must be verbally communicated to the appropriate licensed provider within 15 minutes.
This escalation tool begins with: 'I am Concerned. I am Uncomfortable. This is a Safety issue.'
What is CUS?
CUS creates urgency and signals safety concern.
This standardized survey measures patient perspectives on hospital care.
What is HCAHPS?
Results affect public reporting and reimbursement.
This acronym stands for Wildly Important Goals.
What is WIG?
WIGs focus on the few goals that most impact patient outcomes.
This disinfectant is used to clean glucometers.
What is bleach?
Proper disinfection prevents cross-contamination.
This acronym guides your actions during a fire emergency: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuat
What is RACE?
RACE reduces panic during emergencies. Early action protects patients and staff.
This tool provides a succinct way to relay information that requires attention and action
What is
SBAR?
Using SBAR we share the situation, background, assessment, and recommendation or request.
This hospital-wide expectation requires team members to stop and assist any patient in need.
What is No Pass Zone?
If you see it, you own it.
These are the three WIG focus options available to teams.
What are patient experience, length of stay, and hospital-acquired infections?
Units align efforts to improve these outcomes.
This type of isolation is required for suspected or confirmed measles.
What is airborne isolation?
Requires negative pressure and N95 protection.
This document provides hazard, handling, storage, and emergency information for chemicals used in the workplace.
What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
OSHA requires SDS access. Know where they are located on your unit.
This safety behavior describes a proactive line of sight and having our team members’ backs
What is
Situational Awareness (cross-monitoring, situational monitoring)?
With situational awareness, we know what’s going on around us regarding the patient, other team member’s, the environment, and progress toward goals.
Leaving a patient in stool or urine violates this fundamental patient right.
What is dignity?
Protecting dignity prevents harm and preserves trust.
This is the single most effective way to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
What is proper hand hygiene?
Clean hands save lives.
This hand hygiene method is required for patients with C. diff.
What is soap and water?
Alcohol gel does not kill C. diff spores.
When using a fire extinguisher, this acronym reminds you of the correct technique: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
What is PASS?
Only extinguish small fires if trained and you have a clear exit.
This structured learning session reviews what happened after a safety event in a psychologically safe environment.
What is a HEAL session (Harm Event and Learning)?
HEAL focuses on process improvement, not blame.
This communication technique asks patients to repeat information in their own words.
What is Teach-Back?
Teach-back improves understanding and reduces errors.
These serious events are tracked monthly and reviewed to ensure system learning.
What are Serious Safety Events (SSEs)?
Transparency drives prevention and accountability.
This is our 2026 system hand hygiene goal percentage.
What is 95%?
High reliability requires consistent compliance.
This type of extinguisher is used for wood, paper, cloth, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.
What is an ABC fire extinguisher?
ABC extinguishers are most common in patient care areas.
This workplace concept means team members feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and admit mistakes without fear of punishment
What is psychological safety?
Patients are safest when staff feel safe to speak up.
This rounding approach focuses on anticipating patient needs before they ask
What is proactive rounding?
Anticipating needs improves safety and trust.
C. diff testing must occur within this timeframe from admission to be community-acquired.
What is within 72 hours?
Early testing protects patients and ensures accurate metrics.
When every team member sees preventing infection as their responsibility, this culture exists.
What is a culture of safety?
Infection prevention is everyone’s job.