Question

According to IHI, making dramatic improvements in patient safety will require which of the commitments?

A. Recognizing that most patient harm is caused by bad systems and not bad people
B. Avoiding lawsuits related to medical errors at all costs
C. Singling out individuals who refuse to work in teams and take disciplinary action against them
D. Patients and their families are the only ones affected by adverse events

Answer 1

Making dramatic improvements in patient safety according to IHI involves recognizing that systemic issues, rather than individual failures, are the primary source of patient harm, and addressing healthcare provider incentives can lead to better quality and safety in healthcare provision. Option a.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), making dramatic improvements in patient safety will require a commitment to recognizing that most patient harm is caused by bad systems, not bad people. This understanding shifts the focus from blaming individuals to examining and improving healthcare systems, processes, and protocols to prevent future harm. In healthcare, a systemic approach typically involves analyzing adverse events to identify underlying system failures, and then designing safer systems that make it easier for health care workers to perform tasks without making errors.

This approach can be seen in the efforts to prevent infections in ICUs by ensuring that doctors follow a protocol when inserting central lines. Additionally, addressing the moral hazard in healthcare by focusing on healthcare provider incentives, such as through HMOs, is a key component in reducing unnecessary treatments and costs, thereby potentially improving patient safety and quality of care without compromising privacy or access to necessary care.