Partnerships to advance patient safety and address preventable harm: case studies from international health care leaders

Abstract

There have been notable improvements in patient safety in recent years; however, significant challenges remain in reducing the incidence of preventable patient harm. Supporting patient safety efforts is increasingly important given increasing complexity of care and changing health needs, especially with aging populations. Emerging technologies and capabilities open new possibilities to address longstanding patient safety problems. For example, predictive analytics to support provider decision-making, increased patient interest in engagement in their care, and artificial intelligence provide opportunities to further reduce harm. Many of these examples support a more proactive approach to patient safety by focusing on anticipating, predicting, and preventing patient harm; however, implementation is essential to avoid unintended consequences. Additionally, health care organizations oftentimes cannot accomplish this work on their own and strategic partnerships are crucial for continued improvement. This paper proposes a strategic focus for health care leaders as they build comprehensive plans to prevent harm from adverse events. Drawing on international case examples from the Future of Health Community, it outlines actionable approaches to partnerships that can be adapted and implemented across diverse health care organizations.

Keywords: patient and caregiver engagement; patient safety; preventable harm; technology and digital health.