The National Quality Forum has defined 29 never events—patient safety problems that should never occur, such as wrong-site surgery. Since 2003, Minnesota hospitals have been required to report such incidents. The 2022 report summarizes information about 572 adverse events that were reported, representing a significant increase in the year covered. Earlier reports prior to the last two years reflect a fairly consistent count of adverse events. The rise documented here is likely due to demands on staffing and care processes associated with COVID-19 and general increases in patient complexity and subsequent length of stay. Pressure ulcers and fall-related injuries were the most common incidents recorded. Reports from previous years are available.

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.

The Eisenberg Award honors individuals and organizations who have made key contributions to patient safety and quality improvement. The awards are presented at the National Quality Forum's annual policy conference in Washington, DC. This website provides information on all the recipients and the application process. The 2023 award submission cycle is open through August 21, 2023. 

This award program recognizes organization-wide commitment to five key goals that support high-quality health care: access, health, innovation, affordability, individual as partner. The deadline for submitting an application for the 2024 award cycle has passed.

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.

Delay in access to obstetric care hinders safe treatment for patients experiencing pregnancy complications. This webinar discussed a range of factors affected by abortion restrictions and reviewed options to ensuring safety given legal and other structural impediments. A written brief is forthcoming.

Lack of access to obstetric care impedes safe treatment for mothers. This story describes challenges one mother experienced in finding care during a miscarriage due to abortion policies and the steps she and her family took to manage her condition.

This funding opportunity will support collaborative learning strategies that enable individuals and organizations to employ rapid prototyping to engineer new approaches focused on improving diagnosis and treatment. This learning laboratory funding builds on prior initiatives to further improvements in patient safety. The project submission process is now closed.

This website provides resources for promoting patient safety during Patient Safety Awareness Week. The annual observance is held in March. 

Gender and racial bias contributes to inadequate and delayed care. This story focuses on women who have experienced harm due to their pain concerns being marginalized or dismissed.

Partnerships are needed to motivate, design, and implement lasting innovation in complex situations. This announcement calls for stakeholder insights on the work of the National Healthcare System Action Alliance to Advance Patient Safety and how it can best realize its mission and goals. The deadline for submitting comments has passed.