Table 2.

Areas of safety risk

Patient safety hazards

communication, documentation, and/or training failures

failure to follow policy and procedure

poorly designed/implemented policies and procedures

lapses in infection control and surveillance (including access, catheter and hand hygiene)

machine design flaws

facility design flaws (including water purification system)

Patient safety events

General safety events

patient falls

medication errors

Access-related issues

clotting, poor blood flow

difficulty with cannulation

needle dislodgment/bleeding from needle site

prolonged bleeding

Equipment issues

failure of dialysis equipment

failure of water/reuse equipment