June 25, 2024

Patient safety news and progress in Massachusetts

Boston-based researchers find outpatient adverse events are numerous, serious and understudied

Adverse events in outpatient care are common and often serious according to the Boston-based research group behind last year’s SafeCare study of inpatient care. Overall, 7% of patients experienced at least one adverse event in an outpatient setting, 17% of which were serious. Patients over the age of 64 were disproportionately affected, as were patients who are Black. Adverse drug events were the most common. The study’s authors note that traditional methods of reporting and analyzing safety events are inefficient in outpatient as well as inpatient care and advocate for a more automated approach. They also emphasize that safety in outpatient care would benefit from increased national attention.

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Spring forum offers strategies to advance PFAC impact

More than 80 participants representing Patient and Family Advisory Councils from across the state attended a virtual forum last month focused on ways to help PFACs diversify their membership and engage with hospital leaders. Hosted by the Betsy Lehman Center, the event featured presentations and small-group discussions, which are available on the Center’s website.

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‘Be proactive,’ peer support expert tells fellow supporters

Earlier this month, the Betsy Lehman Center hosted a virtual collaborative learning session for trained peer supporters across Massachusetts. In a presentation about how support programs for the medical community have evolved over the years, Susan D. Scott, Ph.D., R.N., an early leader in the peer support movement and Nurse Scientist at University of Missouri Health Care, emphasized the need to be proactive in reaching out to colleagues who may be experiencing difficult emotions.

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Upcoming events

July 16

12:30 - 1 p.m.

Revolutionizing Health Care: Can We Reduce Burnout with Ambient Documentation? MHA webinar featuring Mass General Brigham's use of ambient documentation to reduce provider burnout. Topics include governance, vendor evaluation, implementation plan and measures of success. Register here

July 24

12 - 1 p.m.

How to Establish and Sustain Effective Patient and Family Advisory Councils. The Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care hosts a discussion about practice-based strategies to ensure the work of PFACs is meaningful and leads to improvement and change. Register here

July 24

2:30 - 4 p.m.

Medication Without Harm — How Digital Health Tools Can Support Providers and Improve Patient Safety. An expert panel discusses quality improvement approaches and digital health interventions to reduce medication errors, improve provider effectiveness and enhance patient safety in a variety of clinical settings. A national webinar from AHRQ. Register here

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

BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov