Racial/ethnic disparities and patient safety.
The number of racial/ethnic minority children will exceed the number of non-Latino white children in the United States by 2030, but little is known about racial/ethnic disparities in patient safety, particularly when it comes to children. A literature review revealed several racial/ethnic disparities in pediatric patient safety. A new conceptual model is proposed for understanding racial/ethnic disparities in patient safety. Evidence suggests that improving patient safety for minority children could be achieved by routinely collecting and monitoring parental self-reported data on race/ethnicity, language, and English proficiency; enhancing the cultural competency of health care providers and staff; and providing adequate language services for all limited English-proficient patients and their families.
Flores
Glenn
G
Center for the Advancement of Underserved Children, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Research Institute, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. gflores@mcw.edu
Ngui
Emmanuel
E
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000458:organization & administration; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*