Patient safety and quality in surgery.
Patient safety and quality of care are inextricably linked. Surgery encompasses such a wide spectrum of diagnosis, treatment, postoperative care, and outpatient follow-up of so many illnesses that quality improvement and patient safety opportunities are numerous and potentially overwhelming. The study of error can be applied across all components of the care process, and offers many points of study to improve patient safety. A fundamental premise is that appropriate and safely delivered health care is less expensive. In our current climate, this emphasis on quality and safety will remain a high priority. Surgeon leadership at all levels is key to our professional viability.
McCafferty
Michael H
MH
Department of Surgery, Section of Colorectal Surgery, University of Louisville, 550 South Jackson Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA.
Polk
Hiram C
HC
D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000592:standards; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000592:standards; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D017751:Safety Management; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States