Safety Authority, an independent non-regulatory state agency in Pennsylvania charged with improving the quality of health care by collecting and analyzing patient safety information, advising facilities through publication, education, and collaboration, and issuing recommendations for improvement. Jones oversees the analysis of data from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System, the largest patient safety database of its kind in the country. She talks with Patient Safety Beat about the significance of increased event reports, trends seen in recent data and the role of artificial intelligence in patient safety. 

Patient Safety Beat: The total number of events reported to the Patient Safety Authority increased in 2024, reaching a new high of more than 300,000 reports from facilities across Pennsylvania – including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, abortion facilities, and birthing centers. How do you understand those increases? 

Becky Jones: First, it’s important to understand that an increase in the number of reports doesn't necessarily mean more events are happening in practice. More often, it’s an indication that more events are being recognized and reported. At PSA, we work closely with facilities to strengthen reporting practices. Our regional patient safety advisors, who are part of our outreach and education team, serve as a direct link to each facility and support a wide range of patient safety needs, including reporting.  

While there are always multiple factors involved, we see the increase in reports as one indication that our work is helping to strengthen reporting practices. When there is an increase or other notable shift in reporting, it’s often a sign that people have a better understanding of what should be reported or that the overall culture around safety and reporting is improving.