Creating a culture of patient safety in a primary-care physician group.
Typically risk-management strategies have been applied to the inpatient setting. In 2003, a comprehensive risk-management program was introduced to ProHealth Physicians, one of the largest primary-care practice groups in Connecticut. The program included strategies for education, practice change, incentive and compliance. Performance metrics for clinician participation and compliance were prespecified. Clinicians' attitudes and behavior change were assessed after introduction of the program. Audits were conducted by external reviewers to assess compliance. Financial data from before-to-after program implementation were compared. Results showed fewer claims and substantial cost savings. A strong commitment to the implementation of a comprehensive risk-management program can create a culture of safety in an outpatient setting.
Department of Traumatology and Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford, USA. ljacobs@harthosp.org
Lenworth
L
Jacobs
Karyl
K
Burns
James
J
Cox-Chapman
Kevin
K
Kelly
D003237:Connecticut; D006123:Group Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D061214:Patient Safety; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*