In the news: Leadership essential to preventing medical errors, says Joint Commission

Effective leadership can prevent medical errors, says The Joint Commission in an Aug. 27 Sentinel Event Alert. Healthcare leaders, including chief executives and senior managers, are the ones who should promote a culture of safety, according to the alert.

The new alert includes a 14-step process to prevent medical errors, as well as recommendations to follow accreditation standards.

“Leaders must recognize that all sentinel events involve a failure in the systems and processes which led to the event,” said Jeff Selberg, CEO of Exempla Healthcare, in the alert. “As leaders, we are accountable for those systems and processes which provide the framework for the clinical environment our staff works within.”