Racial/ethnic disparities and patient safety

Abstract

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.