The term “patient safety” is vast, encompassing quite a lot. Exactly what is patient safety in healthcare? This discussion gained attention in the U.S. in 1999, when the U.S. Institute of Medicine published its groundbreaking report, “To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System.” This report revealed that preventable harm was an issue, with nearly 98,000 lives lost each year due to avoidable medical errors.1
Since then, changes were made, both at the congressional level and within the healthcare profession, to help improve the quality of healthcare and the safety of patients. As the industry continues to evolve, patient safety is increasingly seen as a systemic issue that requires an integrated approach. The key is not just to mitigate errors but to create an environment where safety is inherent in every process — from hospital leadership to direct patient care.
While inherent risks in medical treatments are unavoidable, patient safety focuses on minimizing avoidable harm through smarter practices, better communication and rigorous protocols. Patient safety in nursing underscores the systemic flaws that can contribute to preventable harm. For example, inconsistencies in hospital procedures or a lack of standardized protocols for patient monitoring may increase the risk of complications, such as falls or adverse reactions, even when staffing levels are adequate.
Additionally, gaps in the implementation or oversight of infection control measures can lead to higher rates of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), highlighting weaknesses in the healthcare system’s ability to prevent such outcomes.
