NQF endorses safety measures aimed at cutting complications
The National Quality Forum (NQF) is throwing its weight behind a grouping of 14 patient safety measures that, if widely adopted by the healthcare provider segment of NQF’s membership, could cut the number of complications caused by preventable errors. The newly endorsed measures are aimed at heading off such afflictive flubs as foreign bodies left inside patients during or after procedures, accidental punctures and wrong-site surgeries.
In announcing the endorsements, the group noted that medical mistakes and other forms of unsafe care harm tens of thousands of Americans each year, with healthcare-associated infections alone killing close to 90,000 patients.
“Preventable errors in healthcare are costing Americans in a number of ways, whether in premiums, lost work time and wages, or undue stress and anxiety for patients and families,” said William A. Conway, MD, senior vice president and chief quality officer at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and co-chair of NQF’s steering committee on complication reduction. “This measure set will ensure the healthcare community has the right measurement tools to help alleviate these burdens and provide patients with high-quality care.”
NQF said that, in all, it evaluated 27 measures against its endorsement criteria in this latest round. Along with the 14 it selected for endorsement, three are still under consideration.
The full database of NQF’s endorsed measures and standards is posted on the group’s website.
In announcing the endorsements, the group noted that medical mistakes and other forms of unsafe care harm tens of thousands of Americans each year, with healthcare-associated infections alone killing close to 90,000 patients.
“Preventable errors in healthcare are costing Americans in a number of ways, whether in premiums, lost work time and wages, or undue stress and anxiety for patients and families,” said William A. Conway, MD, senior vice president and chief quality officer at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and co-chair of NQF’s steering committee on complication reduction. “This measure set will ensure the healthcare community has the right measurement tools to help alleviate these burdens and provide patients with high-quality care.”
NQF said that, in all, it evaluated 27 measures against its endorsement criteria in this latest round. Along with the 14 it selected for endorsement, three are still under consideration.
The full database of NQF’s endorsed measures and standards is posted on the group’s website.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.