Patient Safety & Risk Management Flashcards

An orthotist is fitting a functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis on a patient with a pacemaker. Which statement is correct regarding this situation?

Answer: Electrical stimulation is contraindicated without clearance from the patient's cardiologist

FES and other electrical stimulation devices can interfere with pacemaker function and require explicit cardiologist clearance before use in any patient with a pacemaker or implantable cardiac device.

A newly hired orthotics technician accidentally applies an incorrect thermoplastic material, resulting in a device that cannot withstand the patient's body weight. This represents which type of quality failure?

Answer: Material substitution error — a process failure in fabrication quality control

Using an incorrect material due to inadequate verification is a process failure in the fabrication quality control system that can result in device failure and patient injury.

When training a patient to don and doff a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO), what safety instruction is MOST important to include?

Answer: Use a mirror to verify correct application and never wear over skin that is red or broken

Patients must check for correct application and inspect skin for redness or breakdown before wearing, as improper donning or wearing over compromised skin can cause pressure injuries.

Which action by an orthotist BEST demonstrates compliance with the scope of practice guidelines when a patient presents with a newly identified wound under an orthotic device?

Answer: Discontinue device use, refer to the appropriate medical provider, and document findings

Wound assessment and treatment are outside the orthotist's scope of practice; the appropriate action is to halt device use, refer to a physician or wound care specialist, and document all findings.

An orthotist's patient discloses they are experiencing domestic violence at home. The orthotist's primary professional obligation is to:

Answer: Provide information about available resources, document the disclosure, and report if mandated by state law

Orthotists should provide resource information, document the disclosure appropriately, and comply with mandatory reporting laws where applicable, while respecting patient autonomy.

A patient's caregiver asks the orthotist to shorten the follow-up schedule to reduce transportation costs. The orthotist should:

Answer: Explain that follow-up schedules are medically determined and offer alternatives such as telehealth when available

Follow-up schedules are based on clinical necessity; the orthotist should explain this while exploring alternatives such as telehealth or home visits to reduce burden without compromising safety.

In the context of orthotic practice, a 'near miss' event is best defined as:

Answer: An error that could have caused harm but was caught before reaching the patient

A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in patient harm but had the potential to do so; reporting near misses enables process improvements that prevent future adverse events.