An Institute of Medicine (IOM, 1999)
report was a wake-up call for both the general public and healthcare providers
regarding the problem and tragic consequences of medical errors. According to
the report brief, “At least 44,000 people, and perhaps as many as 98,000
people, die in hospitals each year as a result of medical errors that could
have been prevented” (IOM, 1999, p. 1). The report recommends a
four-tiered approach as a strategy for addressing this problem.
In this assignment, you will read
the report and then evaluate how the healthcare system has responded to each of
the four recommendations made in the report.
Use sources other than the textbook
to find information about how the US healthcare system is acting on the four
recommendations in the IOM report. You may use journal articles, government
reports, reports or findings of public organizations, and other authoritative
sources. The following are sources of information on two of the
recommendations:
- The first recommendation (about creating leadership)
refers to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Use the
AHRQ website http://www.ahrq.gov/. - The third recommendation (about actions of oversight
organizations, professional groups, and group purchasers of healthcare)
identifies the Leapfrog Group (http://www.leapfroggroup.org/).
Respond to the following:
- Which of the IOM recommendations do you feel provides
the greatest impact on patient safety? Why? - Assess the US healthcare system’s actions regarding the
four recommendations in the IOM report. Which recommendation provides the
most impact on patient safety? Which provides the least? Justify your
answer. - What is your overall assessment of how the US
healthcare system is performing with regard to patient safety in response
to the IOM recommendations?
Give examples of actions by the healthcare
industry and cite sources.
Be sure to cite any relevant
resources used in framing your responses. Apply APA standards to cite sources.
Reference:
Institute of Medicine. (1999). To
err is human: Building a safer health system.
Retrieved
from
Building-A-Safer-Health-System.aspx
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report in 1999 highlighted the issue of medical errors leading to preventable deaths in hospitals. The report recommended a four-tiered approach to address the problem. In this assignment, we will evaluate how the US healthcare system has responded to each of the four recommendations and assess the impact on patient safety.
1. Which of the IOM recommendations do you feel provides the greatest impact on patient safety? Why?
The first recommendation to create leadership provides the greatest impact on patient safety. Strong leadership in healthcare organizations is crucial to creating a culture of safety, where reporting and learning from errors can occur. This recommendation emphasizes that leadership is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of engagement, education, and action that requires commitment. Without strong leadership, other recommendations may not be adequately implemented or sustained.
2. Assess the US healthcare system’s actions regarding the four recommendations in the IOM report. Which recommendation provides the most impact on patient safety? Which provides the least? Justify your answer.
The US healthcare system has made progress in implementing the four recommendations of the IOM report. The first recommendation regarding creating leadership has been implemented extensively, with many healthcare organizations establishing executive positions focused on patient safety. The second recommendation on education and training has also seen progress, with increasing emphasis on patient safety in medical school curricula and healthcare professional training.
The third recommendation on actions of oversight organizations, professional groups, and group purchasers of healthcare has been slower to implement. While the Leapfrog Group has been established to evaluate hospitals’ safety practices, its impact on patient safety is limited. The least impactful recommendation has been the implementation of technology, which has seen little progress in reducing medical errors.
3. What is your overall assessment of how the US healthcare system is performing with regard to patient safety in response to the IOM recommendations?
The US healthcare system has made efforts to improve patient safety in response to the IOM recommendations. However, progress has been slow, and more needs to be done to ensure that patient safety is the top priority. The healthcare system should focus on creating a culture of safety, with strong leadership, education and training, and robust oversight of healthcare organizations. The efforts of the healthcare industry, including healthcare organizations, professional groups, and government agencies, need to be coordinated and sustained to ensure significant improvements in patient safety.
Examples of Actions by the Healthcare Industry:
– The Joint Commission has established National Patient Safety Goals and accreditation standards that emphasize patient safety.
– The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have tied reimbursement to hospitals’ safety performance, encouraging them to implement better safety practices.
– The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the global patient safety challenge to reduce patient harm in healthcare.
