Table 1.

Patient Safety Practices with the Greatest Strength of Evidence Regarding Their Impact and Effectiveness.

Item	Patient Safety Problem	Patient Safety Practice
1	Venous thromboembolism (VTE)	Appropriate VTE prophylaxis
2	Perioperative cardiac events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery	Use of perioperative beta-blockers
3	Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections	Use of maximum sterile barriers during catheter insertion
4	Surgical site infections	Appropriate use of antibiotic prophylaxis
5	Missed, incomplete, or not fully comprehended informed consent	Asking that patients recall and restate what they have been told during informed consent
6	Ventilator-associated pneumonia	Continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions
7	Pressure ulcers	Use of pressure relieving bedding materials
8	Morbidity due to central venous catheter insertion	Use of real-time ultrasound guidance during central line insertion
9	Adverse events related to chronic anticoagulation with warfarin	Patient self-management using home monitoring devices
10	Morbidity and mortality in post-surgical and critically ill patients	Various nutritional strategies
11	Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections	Antibiotic-impregnated catheters