Blueprint for patient safety.
This article outlines a plan called the Blueprint for Patient Safety, which one organization has used to implement a comprehensive patient safety program. The blueprint starts with a graphic that depicts the basic objectives of patient safety and clarifies the sometimes misunderstood relationship between patient safety and more traditional quality-improvement activities. A second schematic outlines the key elements of the plan, including the concepts of continuous learning and the encompassing role of leadership. Finally, the 10 components of the plan and specific elements that could fall under each component are described.
Stevens
Polly
P
Quality and Risk Management, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. polly.stevens@sickkids.ca
Matlow
Anne
A
Laxer
Ronald M
RM
D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*