Panel releases national plan to accelerate patient safety progress

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s National Steering Committee for Patient Safety, whose members include the AHA and its American Organization for Nursing Leadership, today released a national action plan to accelerate patient safety progress across the care continuum.

The plan identifies principles, recommendations and examples to help health care organizations advance patient safety in four areas: culture, leadership and governance; patient and family engagement; workforce safety; and learning systems. It also includes a self-assessment tool and resource guide to help organizations implement the recommendations and track their progress.

“America’s hospitals and health systems, and our dedicated caregivers, have worked tirelessly to improve the safety and quality of care, delivering real progress that has benefited patients,” said Robyn Begley, AHA senior vice president and chief nursing officer and AONL CEO. “However, we know that one preventable safety event is one too many, which is why hospitals and health systems are dedicated to continuous improvement, which includes intensifying our efforts to reduce the persistent inequities in care. We welcome the release of the National Action Plan, which will help the hospital field remain laser-focused on providing all patients with high-quality, safe and individualized care so we can continue to save lives and keep people healthy.”