OCTOBER 22, 2024

On World Patient Safety Day, White House event signals ongoing federal commitment

Health care leaders from across the country gathered in Washington last month to mark World Patient Safety Day and to further national efforts to address patient and workforce safety. The President’s Office of Science and Technology hosted a forum at the White House to report progress on recommendations published last year. Two safety leaders from Massachusetts — Tejal Gandhi, M.D., M.P.H., and Patricia McGaffigan, R.N. — talk about the White House event and current efforts to accelerate improvement in safety.

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Use this ‘how to’ to engage patients and families in safety improvement work

The Betsy Lehman Center offers a guide to help organizations maximize the contributions of patients and consumers serving on expert panels, safety and quality improvement committees, task forces, and advisory councils. Developed with the help of a Boston-based patient navigator, the guide includes checklists, toolkits, and other resources to help set patients up for success. First created in 2020, the guide has added relevance today for hospitals evaluating their programs through the lens of the new Patient Safety Structural Measure from CMS.

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Health Literacy Month roundup

October is Health Literacy Month, an important reminder that clear communication is an essential element of patient safety. Below are some useful health literacy resources for organizations that provide patient care:

The Community Health Literacy Project provides accessible health information factsheets in more than 35 languages.
CommunicateHealth publishes communication playbooks for marginalized audiences as well as a weekly newsletter, We Heart Health Literacy.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has improvement tools, trainings and publications for use by health professionals and patients.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers training in health literacy, plain language and communicating health risks.

Upcoming events

Oct. 29

12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

PFAC Fall Forum 2024. A virtual forum for members of Patient and Family Advisory Councils in Massachusetts hosted by the Betsy Lehman Center. Members of three PFACs will discuss their involvement in recent work at the hospitals they advise. Register here

Nov. 1

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Mitigating Malpractice Vulnerabilities in Primary Care. A one-day webinar about screening for the four most common cancers in primary care malpractice cases: colorectal, breast, prostate, and lung. Participants will also learn about communication with patients, documentation and the medical legal process. Hosted by CRICO. Register here

Nov. 14

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Health Care Leadership Well-being Summit: Investment, Implementation, and Transformation. Designed to equip health care leaders with tools and strategies to address burnout, foster resilience, and cultivate a culture of well-being, this event in Burlington, MA will be hosted by the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association and the Massachusetts Medical Society. Register here

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

BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov