Efforts to Improve Inpatient Hospital Safety
Medical errors in hospitals are more prevalent than you may realize. According to the Institute of Medicine, a
congressionally chartered, independent organization that provides objective, timely, authoritative information to improve
human health, many of these errors are preventable.
To address this problem, more than 145 private and public organizations that provide health care benefits nation-wide
have joined forces to form the Leapfrog* Group for Patient Safety. Its goal is to help save lives by reducing
preventable mistakes caused by medical errors.
Leapfrog's Four Patient Safety Initiatives
The Leapfrog Group has developed the following four patient safety initiatives (or "leaps") for hospitals. Studies have
shown that you have a greater chance of having a good outcome if you have your surgery at a hospital that:
- has significant experience in performing that procedure or providing that service
- has a computerized pharmacy system
- uses intensive care specialists in its intensive care units, and
Get detailed information on the Leapfrog Group's four initiatives or "leaps" to improve hospital quality and safety. (You will need to scroll down to view this information.)
View hospital survey results
on the Leapfrog Group's web site to find out the extent to which hospitals in your area have implemented the Leapfrog Group's
four safety initiatives to reduce preventable medical errors.
Get More Information about Patient Safety
Find out what questions you should ask your doctor before you have surgery.
This publication highlights 12 questions you should ask your primary care
doctor and surgeon before having elective surgery, and the reasons for asking
them. The answers to these questions will help you be informed and make the best
decision.
* The Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety and Subimo are independent entities not affiliated with UniCare Life & Health
Insurance Company or its affiliated or parent companies.
|
