PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy recently gathered healthcare leaders and Biden-Harris Administration officials for a significant Healthcare Safety Forum. Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD, president and CEO of ECRI, played a central role by moderating a panel aimed at showcasing successful practices in improving patient safety and workforce wellbeing.
The forum, held on September 17, spotlighted the necessity of reducing patient and workforce harm by 50 percent as a step towards eliminating preventable harm. The meeting brought together key voices from across the healthcare sector to discuss innovative strategies and actions designed to foster safety and accountability.
ECRI, a global nonprofit dedicated to healthcare quality and safety, had a strong presence at the event. The organization’s leaders, including Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dheerendra Kommala and Chief Solutions Officer Stuart Morris-Hipkins, joined discussions on advancing healthcare safety through innovation.
Dr. Marcus Schabacker emphasized the importance of adopting a systems-approach, stating, “For far too long, the healthcare industry has tried to address medical errors by attempting to isolate causes in silos. That’s the definition of insanity – trying over and over and achieving the same results. We simply won’t make sustainable safety improvements without a systems-approach and radical transparency.”
Panelists from leading health systems, such as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and MedStar Health, shared insights on patient empowerment and best practices in addressing adverse events. These discussions underscored the need for a “just culture” that prioritizes workforce safety and transparency.
In line with the forum’s objectives, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions to enhance safety measures across healthcare facilities. These initiatives involve contributions from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other key federal bodies.
ECRI’s longstanding commitment to patient safety aligns with these efforts. The organization pledged to reduce preventable harm by 50 percent over the next five years through its nationwide safety learning network. This commitment reflects a collaborative push to utilize evidence-based strategies and patient feedback to advance health equity and safety.
The White House encouraged ongoing engagement with the National Action Alliance for Patient and Workforce Safety to maintain the momentum generated by the forum. ECRI’s role in these discussions signals a concerted effort to lead change in healthcare safety across the nation.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.