Nursing Dnp Essentials

National Patient Safety 

There are several resources, initiatives, and programs aimed at patient safety. Some are governmental, while others are private entities. In hospital settings, probably the most well-known patient safety organization is The Joint Commission. This organization is a private, non-profit and sets National Patient Safety Goals for all clinical environments, including home health, ambulatory, and hospitals. They offer resources, certifications, and accreditations and participation with The Joint Commission is voluntary.  

One of the more influential national governmental agencies on patient safety is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This agency defines critical patient safety standards to ensure patient safety and well-being in the hospital environment. Some of these standards include hospital readmission rates, hospital-acquired infections, and patient falls. Many private insurance companies adopt these standards and failure to meet these standards can result in the lack of reimbursement to the healthcare system. 

The American Hospital Association promotes patient safety by collaborating with health systems to develop the Patient Safety Initiative. This initiative utilizes hospital data to drive improvements related to patient well-being and healthcare inequities, among other things. In addition to patient-facing goals, the Patient Safety Initiative also promotes safety for the healthcare-associated workforce and aims to decrease the burden associated with data collection.