The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA) established a voluntary reporting system designed to enhance the data available to assess and resolve patient safety and healthcare quality issues, according to HHS officials. It first became effective in 2009. Government officials...
Members of the LGBTQ+ community often experience discrimination, and that can extend to the realm of healthcare. A community member’s wellness can be put at risk due to healthcare workers’ lack of experience or training, not seeking care out of fear of being stigmatized or discriminated against...
Medical errors can be devastating. For patients and their families, an error can be a life-altering or even fatal event. But for physicians and other healthcare professionals, a medical error can have different types of consequences.
Good documentation has always been recognized as a way to reduce malpractice exposure. For years, healthcare professionals have heard that “if it is not documented, it was not done.” Clear documentation reduces liability exposure in a number of ways. Good communication can prevent medical errors...
Transparency involves open and honest communication in an effort to be accountable. In healthcare, transparency can strengthen patients’ trust in their care providers. Additionally, being transparent when medical errors occur can ultimately contribute to overall care quality and safety.
Miscommunication is more than a problem in healthcare—it’s a massive patient risk that can cause real harm. A December 2021 report published in the Journal of Patient Safety identified communication failures in 49% of medical malpractice claims between 2001 to 2011. Of those claims, 53...
