Announcements

HHS and VA launch patient safety training program

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) together announced a new partnership to improve patient safety nationwide. HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the VA's National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) are collaborating on the Patient Safety Improvement Corps, a training program for State health officials and their selected hospital partners.

During the first annual program, 50 participants will complete coursework in three 1-week sessions at AHRQ's offices in Rockville, MD. Participants will analyze adverse medical events and close calls—sometimes known as "near misses"—to identify the root causes of these events and correct and prevent them. The overarching goal of the Patient Safety Improvement Corps, which is funded by AHRQ at approximately $7 million over 4 years, is to prevent harm to patients.

AHRQ is partnering with NCPS to offer this training based on NCPS's extensive experience and success in operating large patient safety programs. Both HHS and VA look forward to building upon the experience of NCPS to foster an internationally renowned program. Following is a list of States and their hospital partners in the first group to participate in the program.

Alaska
Alaska Longevity Program
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
Bethel, AK

Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Health
Connecticut Hospital Association
Wallingford and Meriden, CT

Maryland
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Office of Health Care Quality
Shady Grove Adventist Hospital
Rockville, MD

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Northeast Health System
Ipswich, MA

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Medford, MA

Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Hospital Association
St. Paul, MN

Missouri
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Division of Health Standards and Licensure
University of Missouri Health Care
Columbia, MO

New York
State of New York Department of Health
Bureau of Hospital and Primary Care Services
Health Research, Inc.
Schenectady, NY

Rochester General Hospital
Rochester, NY

Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Cortlandt Manor, NY

North Carolina
North Carolina Division of Facility Services
University of North Carolina Hospitals
Chapel Hill, NC

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Apex, NC

North Carolina Division of Facility Services
Licensure & Certification Section
Durham, NC

North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Comprehensive Major Medical Plan
Raleigh, NC

Oregon
Oregon Department of Human Services
Office of the State Public Health Officer
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR

Providence Health System
Portland, OR

Oregon Health Care Association
Wilsonville, OR

Pennsylvania
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health
Jefferson Health System
Philadelphia, PA

Rhode Island
Rhode Island Department of Attorney General
Kent County Memorial Hospital
Warwick, RI

Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, RI

Rhode Island Quality Partners
Providence, RI

Texas
Texas Department of Health
Health Facility Licensing and Compliance Division, Rural and Community Health Institute
Bryan, TX

Utah
Utah Department of Health
University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics
Department of Pharmacy Services
Salt Lake City, UT

St. Mark's Hospital
West Jordan, UT

Virginia
Center for Quality Health Care Services and Consumer Protection
Virginia Department of Health
University of Virginia Medical Center
Charlottesville, VA

Wisconsin
MetaStar, Inc., representing the State of Wisconsin
Department of Health and Family Services
Bureau of Quality Assurance University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Madison, WI

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