1. Making the most of safety data: do not throw the baby out with the bathwater!
- Author
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Cheema, Katherine and Riley, Samantha
- Subjects
ACCIDENTAL falls ,PATIENT safety ,QUALITY assurance ,RISK assessment ,STATISTICS ,VENOUS thrombosis ,DATA analysis ,ADVERSE health care events - Abstract
In the National Health Service in England there are many sources of information pertaining to patient safety. This paper sets out to describe the challenge of measuring patient safety and describes the key data sources that underpin the national understanding of the area. The paper will describe how utilizing all of the available patient safety data, irrespective of the variability inherent, can ensure that practising clinicians have a better understanding of the current picture of patient safety and can fully evidence the efficacy of their improvement actions. Examples of effective triangulation of these data sources are given with acknowledgement of the challenges this can present in terms of engagement and understanding, particularly in the clinical context. Recommendations for the effective use of information in the assessment of patient safety are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
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