Experience from the sharp end helps to inform safety improvement initiatives. The results from this field survey will inform the revision of a high-alert medication list used to raise awareness about certain drugs that have heightened potential to cause patient harm if used incorrectly. The deadline for submitting comments is October 20, 2023.

The articulation of diagnostic error in the ambulatory setting is emerging. These newly released funding announcements seek proposals that focus on understanding the factors contributing to diagnostic error and strategies to improve diagnostic safety in the ambulatory care environment. The application deadline for both opportunities has passed.

This site provides promotional materials and registration information for an awareness campaign on patient safety that takes place in the autumn. The annual observance will take place October 23-27, 2023.

Inspired by the work and leadership of Dr. Mark Graber, this award will annually recognize either lifetime achievements or stand-alone innovations that enhance efforts to improve the safety and quality of diagnosis. The deadline to submit a 2023 nomination is September 12, 2023.

This virtual fellowship program focuses on developing competencies for leading patient safety efforts. The deadline for submitting an application for the 2023–2024 class has passed.

Diagnostic errors occur in all settings of care and are a primary challenge to safe health care. This announcement raises awareness of two upcoming funding opportunities for understanding and improving diagnostic safety in diverse ambulatory care environments. The funding will target the incidence and contributory factors of diagnostic error within the array of ambulatory care services and the development of strategies and interventions to improve diagnostic safety in ambulatory care.

A Just Culture supports effective reporting and learning from mistakes. This scholarship, inspired by the work and leadership of Judy Smetzer, former editor of the ISMP Medication Safety Alert! newsletter, will support three team or individual certifications in Just Culture practice. The 2023 application process is now closed.

Standardized medication labels have been shown to increase patient comprehension and adherence. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a rule which, if approved, would require an easily understandable, one-page medication guide be given to patients when receiving medication in the outpatient setting. Written comments may be submitted through November 27, 2023.

The integration of best practices into daily work is an indication of their usefulness and sustainability. This survey seeks to understand the broad use of 2022-2023 Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices for Hospitals throughout health care to determine implementation successes and barriers. Data submission closes June 30, 2023.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) offers many practical tools and resources to help healthcare organizations, providers, and others make patient care safer These tools are based on research, and they can assist staff in hospitals, emergency departments, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory settings to prevent avoidable complications of care. The purpose of this challenge is to elicit new narratives of how AHRQ toolkits are being used. Up to ten winners will receive $10,000 each. Submissions are due October 27, 2023.

Removing unused medications from the home can help prevent accidental exposure to unneeded medications and limit their availability for misuse. This semi-annual program provides patients with an opportunity to discard medications safely. The sponsors also provide education to highlight the importance of appropriate disposal of unused prescription drugs as a medication safety activity.

Approaching diagnosis as a team activity is seen as a key approach to diagnostic effectiveness. This notice highlights a funding opportunity to launch Diagnostic Centers of Excellence to improve diagnosis of undiagnosed and unknown disease and research to inform improvement. The application period is now closed. 

Equity improvements are gaining increased traction as a patient safety strategy. This announcement seeks proposals that would use dissemination and implementation science to fill evidence gaps critical to the development, adaption, implementation, and evaluation of equity-focused evidence-based interventions to accelerate health equity within healthcare delivery systems. The application process is now closed.

Diagnostic error is garnering increased attention as a key area of focus in patient safety improvement. This fellowship program for physicians who have completed their residency will provide the opportunity to build expertise in enhancing diagnostic safety. The application process for the 2023-2024 program is now closed.

This fellowship program provides clinicians with learning opportunities at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and the US Food and Drug Administration. The appointment consists of a pair of successive 6-month positions designed to provide experience in both system improvement and regulatory approaches to enhance medication safety. The process for submitting applications is open until March 31, 2023.

Lewis Blackman was a young man who lost his life to medical error when the severity of his condition after elective surgery was unrecognized by clinicians caring for him. This award will acknowledge residents and fellows engaged in developing educational programs on patient safety. Nominations for the 2024 award cycle are due March 15, 2023.

These educational programs with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) are for clinicians who wish to expand their practical knowledge of medication error prevention. The application process for the 2023-2024 fellowships will close May 16, 2023.

The annual Eisenberg Award recognizes leaders and organizations who have made substantial contributions toward patient safety and quality improvement. The 2022 honorees are Jason S. Adelman, MD, MS, North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) and Parkland Health, Dallas County, Texas. The awards were presented at the National Quality Forum's annual conference on February 20, 2023, in Washington, DC.

The National Steering Committee for Patient Safety (NSC) was formed to engage with the health care community to plan and prioritize patient safety work to generate improvements. This short survey seeks comments from the field to determine current interest and status in efforts aligned with the National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety.

Telemedicine efforts harbor both risk and reward to patients and providers. The AHRQ Safety Program for Telemedicine is a national effort to develop and implement a bundle of evidence-based interventions designed to improve telemedicine care in two settings—the cancer diagnostic process and antibiotic use. To test the bundle of interventions, the program will involve two cohorts of healthcare professionals who utilize telemedicine as a care delivery model. It is an 18-month program, beginning in June 2023, that seeks to improve the cancer diagnostic process for patients who receive some or all of their care through telemedicine. Recruitment webinars start in late January and run through early May 2023; the antibiotic use cohort will begin recruitment in December 2023.