Patient Safety Planning

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Health care providers want to deliver quality care without causing harm. A safety plan will help your organization take an approach that is systematic and effective.

Where To Start table image - click link for HTML table
Where To Start table image - click link for HTML table
Not sure where to start? View this image or click 'use this chart' on the left.

Creating a patient safety plan for your organization

Your health care organization has distinct needs when it comes to developing a patient safety plan. Whether you are beginning new patient safety efforts or advancing work on an existing plan, each section below offers practical resources.

The tools can be used in any order. Choose a topic area below that you would like to work on and get started. If you aren't sure where to begin, use this chart to help identify the needs of your organization.

plan these essential elements
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Coordination

Decide who will oversee safety activities

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Objectives

Set goals and look for opportunities for progress

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Readiness

Prepare how your team will respond to an adverse event

CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE
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Training

Foster a shared understanding of best practices

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Testing

Make small, evidence-based changes

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Tracking

Track data to identify effective changes

Seed your success
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Leadership

Make a commitment to patient safety, starting at the top

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Communication

Establish ways to share concerns and suggestions

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Culture

Create a collaborative environment where patients come first

This page was adapted from the Betsy Lehman Center's Patient Safety Navigator. Visit the Navigator website to learn more about analyzing adverse events, communicating in the aftermath of serious harm, and reporting medical errors to state and federal agencies.