Stakeholders’ responsibility
HDM teams up with experts to discuss the stakeholders in patient safety, their responsibilities, and processes that need to be changed.
Join HDM and following list of experts as they discuss the stakeholders in patient safety, their responsibilities, and processes that need to be changed.
- • Dr. Tim McDonald, Chief Patient Safety and Risk Officer, RLDatix,
- • Nicole Kerkenbush, Chief Nursing and Performance Officer, Monument Health
- • Patricia McGaffigan, IHI Vice President, Safety; and Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety President
- • Kenneth R. Deans, President and CEO, Health Sciences South Carolina
- • Mitchell Josephson, CEO, Health Data Management
In the realm of patient safety, stakeholders can be categorized into three groups: healthcare institutions, care teams, and patients. Each group has specific roles and responsibilities to ensure patient safety is prioritized.
Healthcare institutions are responsible for establishing a culture where caregivers and providers feel comfortable raising concerns. Care teams must step forward to report concerns, whether they result in negative outcomes or are near misses. Patients have a responsibility to advocate for themselves or have a family member or loved one do so on their behalf.
Furthermore, communities, a fourth stakeholder, also play a vital role in patient safety. They must understand the impact their healthcare delivery partners have on the community's overall health and work together to encourage young people to join the healthcare field.
Healthcare organizations must focus on making their systems more efficient, streamlining processes, and eliminating unnecessary tasks. This will help reduce burnout and improve overall patient safety. One example is the "Gross" project, which stands for "Get Rid of Stupid Stuff." By eliminating unneeded tasks, hospitals can save valuable time for their staff and improve efficiency.
Healthcare leaders should recognize the importance of creating a safety ecosystem, where all safety initiatives can thrive. This requires hardwiring safety into the daily work of healthcare providers and focusing on the core purpose of safety. Additionally, leaders must advocate for the removal of inefficient regulations and practices, reorienting the industry towards a more effective approach to patient safety.
Patients also play a significant role in ensuring their safety. They must be comfortable asking questions and engaging in meaningful dialogue with their healthcare providers. Healthcare providers, in turn, should foster open communication and encourage patients to share all relevant information, no matter how big or small.