Health systems must tackle workplace, patient safety in tandem, IHI says

A nationwide effort in the US to improve and coordinate patient safety measures will strive to make a connection between workplace and patient safety.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) gave an update during its National Forum this week on the creation of a national patient safety plan intended to encourage better coordination of safety efforts. A key goal of the plan, expected to be released next year, was to emphasise the role of improving workforce safety.

“In our view, too many systems have a separation between workforce safety and patient safety and yet we know the two are connected,” said Derek Feeley, President and CEO of IHI, in a briefing with reporters Monday before the start of the forum in Orlando, Florida. “Patient safety incidents are much less likely to occur when workers feel safe.”

The steering committee developing the plan includes 27 organizations that range from patient advocates and professional societies to provider organizations and government representatives. The committee's plan hopes to target healthcare leaders and policymakers.

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Source: Fierce Healthcare, 10 December 2019