Institute for Health Care Research and Improvement: Office of Patient Safety Programs

	Office of Patient Safety

	Activities

	Objectives

	Programs

	Research

	Dr. Yan Xiao, PhD

For more information contact:

Donald A Kennerly, M.D., Ph.D.
Baylor Health Care System
Vice President of Patient Safety and
Chief Patient Safety Officer
8080 N. Central Expressway, Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75206

Tel: 214-265-3621
Fax: 214-265-3628
Email: DonaldK@baylorhealth.edu

Office of Patient Safety Programs
Improving Professional Communication The OPS has engaged Dr. Michael Leonard, a nationally-recognized expert in teamwork and communication, to implement standardized communication practices when patients’ conditions deteriorate, and to enhance teamwork between BHCS professionals. SBAR Communication Structured language/SBAR is a strategy for clear and focused communication. Using SBAR, health care providers discuss patient care by making a clear statement of the Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendations. Facility-Level Staffing Model to Achieve Excellence in Patient Safety To accomplish goals related to best care in patient safety, a new group of professionals (e.g., clinical risk manager/patient safety officer) will perform patient safety and risk management functions in each facility. High Reliability Organization Learning Network BHCS belongs to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) High Reliability Organization Learning Network, designed to promote collaboration among leading health systems in safety and quality improvement across the United States. National Patient Safety Goals BHCS seeks to achieve the national patient safety goals established by the Joint Commission, the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Community Efforts The OPS collaborates on community patient safety projects with leaders in the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council and the Dallas County Medical Society. Systemwide Safety Processes The OPS will continue to support systemwide processes to measure safety indicators identified by national organizations such as Leapfrog, the Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Teamwork Improves Patient Safety (TIPS) The OPS is working with facility-specific patient safety staff to implement the training program Teamwork Improves Patient Safety (TIPS). The program, which will be rolled out gradually across BHCS, will educate health care providers about the following topics: • Structured language/SBAR communication • Assertion/critical language - "Stop the Line" • Briefing - Planning before an event or shift • Huddles - Problem solving during an event or shift • Debriefing - Discussion after an event or shift Attitudes and Practices of Patient Safety A 2007 employee survey helped the OPS to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement in BHCS's efforts to support patient safety.