Advancing health care safety in Massachusetts
A state government agency working with providers, patients and policymakers to reduce preventable harm in all health care settings
Medical errors remain frequent, harmful, and costly.
Patient harm happens in all health care settings. In hospitals, almost 1 in 4 patients will experience a harm event, costing Massachusetts payers an estimated $2.14 billion annually. These figures do not include costs to patients and families and to the hospitals themselves. Nor do they capture how harm events impact patient and workforce well-being and strain system capacity.
Featured work
The Center’s work is guided by the groundbreaking Roadmap to Health Care Safety for Massachusetts. This strategic action plan is designed to break through the barriers that have stood in the way of progress for decades.
Automated adverse event monitoring in hospitals
The Center is piloting a new, technology-enabled approach to detect patient harm in near real time, dramatically improving safety.
Improving health care safety education
The Center is leading the effort to develop a statewide safety curriculum and educational standards for health care professionals.
Peer support for health care professionals
Need help coping with the stresses of working in health care today? The Virtual Peer Support Network can match you with a colleague in Massachusetts for peer-to-peer support.
Communication, Apology and Resolution (CARe)
CARe is a model for more promptly, fairly, and compassionately meeting the needs of patients who have been harmed.
Patient and Family Advisory Councils
Patients and families serve on their hospital’s PFAC to help improve care and better serve their communities.
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Patient Safety Beat
Patient Safety Beat is the Betsy Lehman Center’s monthly email newsletter reporting on health care safety news and updates on progress across Massachusetts.
