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National Quality Forum’s Safe Practices
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Executive Summary
The National Quality Forum (NQF) identified the set of 30 safe practices in May of 2004. The Iowa Healthcare Collaborative has taken a leadership role in promoting these safe practices and surveying deployment in Iowa hospitals.
In 2005, 113 of 116 Iowa hospitals completed a rigorous self-assessment survey about these practices, examining organizational culture, staff engagement, and available resources. The Texas Medical Institute of Technology (TMIT) processed this information and made the observations presented in this report. This is self-assessment information and not based on clinical reporting. TMIT observed that:
- Iowa ’s self-reported information was similar to that of organizations reporting to the Leapfrog group for the first time.
- Iowa performed particularly well in areas of JCAHO focus.
- Iowa hospitals and physicians made resource commitments to address these 30 safe practices at a rate that was 4 times the national average.
Introduction
Despite the best intentions, adverse events and medical errors can occur in any health care setting in any community in this country. One reason is the unavailability of evidence-based information regarding prevention or reduction of harm. NQF, with the support from the Agency from Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), has identified 30 safe practices that evidence shows can work to reduce or prevent adverse events and medical errors. NQF strongly urges that these 30 safe practices be universally adopted by all applicable health care settings to reduce the risk of harm to patients.
In 2004, the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative worked to introduce the 30 safe practices to Iowa hospitals and physicians, conducting a baseline survey to assess the level of priority and deployment of the practices in Iowa. Response and engagement was outstanding, with 100 of 116 Iowa hospitals completed the initial survey.
In 2005, the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative partnered with TMIT to assist Iowa hospitals’ work on patient safety initiatives. TMIT is working with hospitals from around the country to improve the survey process of NQF Safe Practices and to identify best practices. Iowa hospitals were asked to complete this rigorous web-based self-assessment survey on the deployment of 27 of the 30 NQF safe practices. Participation was exceptional with 113 or 116 Iowa hospitals completing the survey.
TMIT processed the information from the Iowa surveys. Each safe practice was weighted and scores were assigned on a 1000-point scale. Iowa is the first group to use this tool to attempt statewide education, promotion of a culture of change, and an assessment of readiness. Leapfrog uses this tool for public reporting on organizational progress in deployment.
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Main section of the 2005 Iowa Report .
The Hospital Quality Initiative is a voluntary reporting effort by hospitals on a selected group of clinical measures.
The AHRQ database is comprised of administrative data voluntarily reported since the 1990s.
The National Quality Forum (NQF) identified the set of 30 safe practices in May of 2004.
Through conferences, meetings, and site visits, providers are sharing best practice and are working to reduce preventable deaths in Iowa.
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