Question

Why do some patient safety leaders such as Dr. David Bates believe the definition of harm should be broader than the definition in the IHI Global Trigger Tool?

(A) Because health care systems have eliminated all harms included in the current definition
(B) Because expanding the definition of harm would make it easier to measure
(C) Because health care systems should work to prevent more types of harm than the current definition includes
(D) Because health care providers aren't usually concerned about harms such as psychological injury

Answer 1

Dr. David Bates and other safety leaders advocate for a broader definition of harm, which includes physical, financial, and emotional harm, to better prevent and measure the various ways patients can be impacted by health care services.

Step-by-step explanation:

Some patient safety leaders, such as Dr. David Bates, believe the definition of harm should be broader than the definition in the IHI Global Trigger Tool because health care systems should work to prevent more types of harm than the current definition includes (Option C). This broader definition accounts for the myriad ways patients can experience harm, including physical, financial, and emotional harm.

Emotional harm is particularly nuanced as it varies greatly among individuals; for instance, some participants may find discussing their academic major distressing, whereas others may not. Similarly, discussions around past experiences with domestic violence could be triggering for some but not others. Therefore, adopting a broader definition allows for the comprehensive assessment and prevention of various types of harm within health care settings, ultimately leading to improved patient safety.