Patient Safety Awareness Week United for Patient Safety Campaign

During the past ten years an effort to focus on patient safety has yielded significant gains for patient safety.  The week of March 12-18 will bring attention to providers and patients alike.  Safety is a never ending goal in day to day hospital and/or clinic operations.  When procedures become routine and repetitive studies have shown human error intrudes with short cuts or inattention to detail.

The National Patient Safety Foundation

The National Patient Safety Foundation’s vision is to create a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm. A central voice for patient safety since 1997, NPSF partners with patients and families, the health care community, and key stakeholders to advance patient safety and health care workforce safety and disseminate strategies to prevent harm. NPSF is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. 

NPSF Vision Statement

Creating a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm.

NPSF Mission 

NPSF partners with patients and families, the health care community, and key stakeholders to advance patient safety and health care workforce safety and disseminate strategies to prevent harm.

 Improving Patient Safety in Hospitals: A Resource Listfor Users of the AHRQ Hospital Survey on PatientSafety Culture

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has a resource document which elaborates on many safety issues for hospitals.  It is updated annually.

The AHRQ has programs defining specific areas to be analyzed with recomendations for improvement.  It is available on their website (Quality and Patient Safety Index)

United for Patient Safety Campaign