The seminal AHRQ Making Health Care Safer report, issued in 2001, used evidence-based medicine principles to identify key patient safety practices (PSPs). Although its recommendations were somewhat controversial, the report galvanized patient safety efforts at hospitals nationwide and provided a stimulus for further rigorous research on PSPs.

Medication safety and health care culture and safety are the focus as the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) leads Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 3-9, 2013. This year’s theme, Patient Safety 7/365, reminds health care professionals and health consumers that providing safe patient care requires constant dedication and effort, 365 days a year.

Because of their small size, pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable to medication errors. An error that might have minimal effect to an adult could be catastrophic to a child. To help promote awareness of this issue, Medi-Dose/EPS is working with the Emily Jerry Foundation to incorporate their Blue Angel warning logo into MILT 3.0 software.

Outcome Engenuity has announced the Just Culture Critical Access Hospital Program. This program will give smaller Critical Access Hospitals better and more ready access to Just Culture materials and training.