February 2017

Up Front

When patients speak limited English, be wary of online translation tools

Programs like Google Translate can provide erroneous or nonsensical translations that can lead to major medical misunderstandings and compromise patient safety. 

Five Questions

Five Questions with Eric J. Hardt, M.D.

"Professional interpreters are expected to relay the meaning of what is said adjusting for cultural differences, not just to repeat the words exactly."

- Hardt, Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and a member of the Geriatrics Section of the Department of Medicine at Boston Medical Center. 

Safety News

The Affordable Care Act aimed for patient safety improvements too

Any debate on the act’s future, advocates say, should take into account provisions that have improved quality and reduced harm. 

How a simple staff idea board led to better safety for post acute-care patients

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s Medical Acute Care Unit in Boston solved a wheelchair transportation problem and realized the benefits of continuous improvement. 

Safety Snapshot

Patient discharge experience from acute care hospital visits

CHIA’s Focus on Provider Quality report takes a closer look at key aspects of health care, including measures of patients’ ability to safeguard their health after discharge. 

Just one thing

Don’t let rude behavior compromise your patients’ safety

Snippy colleagues and rude customers can be found in almost any workplace. But in medical settings, the consequences of abrasive or negative interactions are significantly higher than you might think. 

Upcoming events

Patient Safety Forum – Improving Patient Safety, Improving Value

When: Thursday, March 30, 2017 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Co-provided by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors and Healthcentric Advisors, the program will showcase highly leveraged strategies to accelerate improvement, including leadership, culture, and learning systems, with presentations from leadership and front-line teams, and settings including community hospitals, academic medical centers, and ambulatory services.

Click for more information and to register

The 5th Annual Communication, Apology, and Resolution Forum

When: Thursday, April 13, 2017 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Join MACRMI in learning about the outcomes of its pilot study and new resources, attend two discussion panels covering perspectives from patients who have gone through CARe programs, and find out how to work through difficult conversations when a case needs further review.

Click for more information and to register

Patient Safety Beat is published monthly by the Betsy Lehman Center, a state agency that uses communications, research, and data to catalyze the efforts of providers, policymakers, and consumers working toward safer health care in Massachusetts.