IHI, National Patient Safety Foundation to merge

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) have announced plans to merge into a single organization to “help reset and reenergize the patient safety agenda.”

The combination of the two groups, both based in the Boston area, will be effective May 1.

“Improving patient safety has always been central to IHI’s mission of improving health and health care quality,” said IHI President and CEO Derek Feeley, who will remain in charge of the combined organization. “Yet safety now competes for attention and resources with other important issues such as value-driven care and population health. By joining forces, IHI and NPSF will be more effective in helping leaders and frontline clinicians meet all of today’s challenges while ensuring that patient safety remains a priority along the way.”

According to a press release announcing the merger, no layoffs are anticipated between IHI’s 150 staff members and NPSF’s 20 employees. NPSF’s current president and CEO, Tejal Gandhi, MD, will become IHI’s new chief clinical and safety officer.

“Our programs are distinct but highly compatible, and we share experience, expertise and a common goal of accelerating patient safety improvement,” Gandhi said in a statement. “NPSF has provided critical thought leadership with the aim of establishing safety as a core value in healthcare, and IHI has demonstrated an ability to influence large-scale, global change. This merger promises to strengthen our ability to advance progress in patient safety in the coming years.”

For the time being, all NPSF programs will continue, including the Certified Professional in Patient Safety credentialing program.