Community Health Systems decreases adverse events

Since employing high-reliability leadership concepts in 2013, Community Health Systems has reduced its serious safety event rate by 89%, according to a study. The Franklin, Tenn.-based health system has reduced serious harm events stemming from medication errors, patient falls, care management, health-care associated infections and procedural events. A patient safety organization oversees CHS’ high-reliability organization journey. CHS uses a process incorporating data standardization, technology and cause analysis to keep patient harm and safety efforts at the forefront for staff, front-line leaders and executive leaders. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Journal of Patient Safety highlights the study this week; it was published in NEJM Catalyst. (AHRQ Journal of Patient Safety Network article, 12/6/23)