View as Webpage

February 24, 2021

Patient Safety Beat Patient safety news and progress in Massachusetts.

MA effort to improve maternal care seeks hospital collaborators, data Massachusetts hospitals are being urged to contribute data about their maternal health services as part of a regional collaboration to better meet patients’ needs. Led by the Perinatal and Neonatal Quality Improvement Network of Massachusetts, the voluntary data collection effort uses a federal survey tool to develop an understanding of levels of care currently available in regions across the state, a first step toward providing equal access to optimal care. The survey will help pinpoint gaps in availability of care and identify opportunities to support equity. Read the story

Support group for nurses caring for COVID patients to start next month Feeling stressed on the frontlines of COVID-19? Talking to fellow nurses can help. The Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety is offering a free 6-week support group for nurses working with COVID-19 patients in any health care setting in Massachusetts. This is the second virtual support group session for nurses, offered as part of a pilot program to help members of the health profession during the pandemic. “Talking with peers is a proven strategy for coping with stresses, sadness, anger and other difficult feelings,” says Linda Kenney, Director of Peer Support Programs at the Betsy Lehman Center. “Many nurses are experiencing these kinds of feelings right now and this virtual support group can help.” Kenney adds that the Center is working with partners to explore ways to use or adapt peer support models to help frontline workers in all health settings given the stresses of their work during the pandemic. Beginning March 10, the weekly sessions for nurses will be held on Zoom and facilitated by a licensed mental health professional. Advance registration is required and space is limited. The sessions, from 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., are offered as a series and participants are strongly encouraged to attend all of them. Register here or contact Jacqueline Ewuoso for more information.

What we're tweeting

Right now, we’re sharing new resources from @MassMedical on expanding patient access to clinical notes, @PAPATIENTSAFETY’s top 10 articles from its award-winning journal, and the annual top 10 technology-related safety issues of 2021 from @ECRI_Org. In #COVID-19 vaccination news, see and share this new resource to combat vaccination hesitancy in communities of color from @blackbodyhealth and @LungAssociation and a story from @CNN of vaccinated health care worker volunteers offering comfort and help to hospitalized COVID patients. Follow us on Twitter @BetsyLehmanCtr to keep up with the latest patient safety news.

Upcoming events Implementing Levels of Maternal Care in Massachusetts. The Betsy Lehman Center and the Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Improvement Network of Massachusetts (PNQIN) are hosting a webinar to answer hospital's questions about the LOCATe survey tool. March 2, 12 - 1 p.m. Register here Caring for the Caregiver: Task Force Briefing. Leaders from across Massachusetts formed the Caring for the Caregiver Task Force, which will release its final report providing recommendations and best practices in the key areas of safety, engagement, wellbeing, workforce development and deployment of staff. March 4, 12 p.m. Register here Risky Business: Navigating a Shifting Health Care Landscape. Risky Business is a unique conference with a simple premise: Learn from thought leaders in high risk industries to improve health care safety and quality. Speakers will discuss topics such as equity, leadership and decision-making, teamwork and managing logistical challenges. April 15, 12 - 2 p.m. Register here

Patient Safety Beat is published by the Betsy Lehman Center, a state agency that supports providers, patients and policymakers working together to advance the safety and quality of health care.

BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov

‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for newsletter