Moderator: Chip Kahn, President and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, FOH Co-founder & Co-chairman
Panelists:
Dr. David Bates, Chief Innovation Officer, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dr. George Cheriyan, CEO at American Mission Hospital
Susan Sheridan, Founding Member, Patients for Patient Safety US
Katerina Tarasova, Executive VP Global Market Development at Accreditation Canada
Prof Adriaan Johannes (Ian) Vlok, Head of Department of Neurosurgery, University of Stellenbosch
Advancing Patient Safety Through System Redesign
Dr. David Bates shared insights from a recent study published in the New England Journal, revealing that harm occurs in about one in four patients, with substantial issues also present in outpatient settings. He stressed the need for healthcare organizations to adopt electronic health records (EHRs) to more accurately measure and reduce harm. Dr. Bates highlighted successful strategies such as improving follow-up on critical test results and utilizing publicly available tools to prevent patient falls.
Patient and System-Centric Approaches to Safety
Susan Sheridan shared her personal motivation behind her advocacy: “After experiencing patient safety events within my own family, I’ve dedicated myself to transforming our healthcare systems to prevent such tragedies.” She detailed Project Pivot’s approach: “We’re asking patients what safety means to them and integrating their voices directly into safety measures. This is about transforming care through positive activism and real engagement.”
Integrating Local Contexts into Safety Practices:
Dr. George Cheriyan highlighted the importance of contextual solutions in patient safety, explaining, “It’s about understanding local needs and customizing our safety protocols to meet these specific challenges.” He added, “Effective safety measures require us to be as local in our approach as the healthcare delivery itself.”
Educational Reform for Safer Healthcare Delivery
Prof Adriaan Johannes (Ian) Vlok criticized current training models, suggesting, “We need to bridge the gap between our training programs and the realities of medical practice today.” He emphasized the need for a curriculum that is both comprehensive and contextual, preparing healthcare professionals to handle the complexities of modern healthcare environments effectively.
Leveraging Cross-Industry Insights to Enhance Safety
Katerina Tarasova discussed the potential of applying safety protocols from industries like aviation to healthcare. She advocated for a systematic approach to post-event analyses and emphasized the importance of creating a culture that prioritizes learning over blaming, to prevent future errors.
Consensus on Continuous Improvement
The panelists collectively underscored the importance of an ongoing commitment to enhancing patient safety. As Dr. Bates mentioned, “Continuous improvement is key; we must keep seeking better ways to reduce harm and enhance the care we provide.”
The panel called for a fundamental cultural shift toward prioritizing patient safety in healthcare, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and patient-centered care. Chip Kahn concluded, “Today’s discussion has set a clear mandate for change, focusing on systemic reform and the integration of direct patient experiences into our safety protocols.”
