Safe Care Today. Healthier Tomorrows | Dr. Rajarshi Roy | Manipal Hospital Broadway

Dr. Rajarshi Roy from Manipal Hospital Broadway in Kolkata opens the discussion by defining patient safety as a comprehensive approach that encompasses disease management, diagnosis, interventions, and investigations, whether invasive or non-invasive. At the core of this concept is the fundamental medical principle known as "primum non nocere," or do no harm, which serves as the guiding ethos for any physician's practice. He emphasizes that while it is acceptable to admit when a case requires consultation rather than attempting improper management, the absolute priority must always be to avoid causing harm to the patient above all else. The speaker highlights that medication safety is a critical component of this broader safety profile, particularly because many drugs interact with one another in ways that can disrupt treatment outcomes if not carefully monitored. He warns that using a specific medication without understanding its potential interactions with other prescribed drugs can severely compromise the patient's safety and lead to adverse effects. This issue is especially prevalent in outpatient settings where patients frequently visit different specialties and receive various medications, creating a complex web of potential drug-drug interactions that require vigilant oversight. To address these challenges, Dr. Roy issues an earnest request to his colleagues and all healthcare providers to consult with the appropriate specialist whenever a patient is on multiple medications or requires treatment across different fields. This collaborative approach ensures that every prescription is evaluated for compatibility and safety, thereby maintaining a brilliant level of care for the patient. By fostering communication between specialists and prioritizing consultation over independent decision-making in complex cases, the medical community can significantly reduce risks and uphold the highest standards of patient well-being.