Patient safety has been a pressing issue in healthcare since 1999, with the publication of the landmark report To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System. Despite two decades of attention, estimates of annual patient deaths due to medical errors have risen steadily to as many as 440,000 lives, a figure that was reported in the Journal of Patient Safety in 2013.

As a critical shortage in imaging contrast continues to impact healthcare organizations across the nation, The Joint Commission (TJC) has issued guidance about shortage management and conservation.

The Leapfrog Group released its latest grades for hospital patient safety. The analysis utilizes more than 30 measures, including the PSI 90 Patient Safety and Adverse Events composite, which features 10 component measures. The Leapfrog Group was founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers of healthcare. The nonprofit group publishes reports on hospital patient safety in the fall and the spring.

By Adele Webb, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN   The definition of bullying is straightforward: it’s the repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more persons by one or more perpetrators. It’s when individuals engage in behaviors that negatively impact others and their daily responsibilities. And there is often a power dynamic at play between those bullying … Continued

By Tamara Sloper Now more than ever, patients are seeking evidence of quality and safety in their health care settings. The ongoing pandemic has heightened awareness amongst patients as they seek to ensure that they are receiving medical care in facilities that are following established safety protocols and procedures. Facilities that have earned accreditation by … Continued

As part of PSQH’s celebration of Patient Safety Awareness Week, we decided to reach out to our readers with a few questions to find out the state of patient safety efforts in 2022. Part of PSQH’s Patient Safety Awareness Week activities, this PSQH Quick Poll is presented in partnership with GOJO – the makers of Purell, Nuance, PDC, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. The Quick Poll had a total of 210 respondents.

By Christopher Walters, M.D.   During my 20 years as an anesthesiologist, I’ve appreciated the field of anesthesiology for being a leader in improving patient safety through technological innovation and training. Ten years ago, my own personal interest in patient safety innovation was heightened when I had the unfortunate experience of a patient medication administration … Continued

By Dr. Daniel J. Sullivan A 2020 study by Newman-Toker, et al. identified that 15 diseases account for about half of all serious misdiagnosis-related harms. The research focused on the “Big Three” categories of vascular events, infections, and cancers and found that 10% of patients with a “Big Three” disease are misdiagnosed. A likely explanation … Continued

ECRI is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of care across all healthcare settings. The organization’s annual Top 10 patient safety list is developed by multidisciplinary staff at ECRI and the organization’s affiliate, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). Patient safety concerns are also validated by scientific literature as well as ECRI and ISMP data such as accident investigations and reported medication safety problems.