Quality & Patient Safety

Health reform's effect on patient safety

Patient Safety Monitor, September 1, 2010

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I was always certain that my career in patient safety would be in the delivery sector, in health systems, hospitals, or clinics—settings in which clinicians and patients interact. Based on time spent as a frontline staff member and later as a leader in patient safety, I was sure that this was the setting in which my knowledge and training could have the largest effect on safety. It was in a health system that I learned about the opportunities and challenges that drive safety practices at the bedside and at the point of care. 

That said, a new prospect recently presented itself, and I accepted a position with PatientSafe Solutions, a healthcare technology firm. This organization does not immediately reside in delivery, but it will certainly affect care at the bedside. It is an opportunity within the private sector to affect patient safety at a national level through innovative technologies that assist care providers and encourage patient engagement. 

In this role, I’ve learned very quickly that it is not our hospitals and health systems alone that will take strides to improve patient safety. The larger industry, comprising academia, researchers, for-profits, nonprofits, professional organizations, consumer groups, payers, and the government, will need to collaborate for patient safety. Although I’ll talk about my experiences with my new position in future columns, here I’d like to focus on this collaboration for patient safety.

 

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to Patient Safety Monitor.

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