WHA supports National Patient Safety Board legislation
Patient safety is essential to providing high-quality, high-value care in Washington. As a leading organization committed to quality, safe care in Washington state, the Alliance supports legislative efforts to establish a National Patient Safety Board.
This Patient Safety Awareness Week, U.S. Reps. Nanette Barragán, CA-44, and Dr. Michael Burgess, TX-26, introduced legislation to create an independent, nonpunitive panel under the federal Department of Health and Human Services solely focused on patient safety. The panel would be modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board.
According to the National Patient Safety Board Advocacy Coalition, of which the Washington Health Alliance is a member, this panel would aggregate and analyze existing patient safety data to provide solutions before harm occurs and limit the burden on frontline health care workers.
Currently, there is no government entity that reviews patient safety nationwide.
In Washington state, the Alliance has long participated in the Washington Patient Safety Coalition, which works across the continuum of health care to address many factors that influence patient safety. The Alliance’s medical director, Sharon Eloranta, MD, serves as the coalition’s vice chair. The Washington Health Alliance also serves as the regional leader for the Leapfrog Group’s hospital safety efforts.
For more information about the bill and how to voice support, please visit the National Patient Safety Board Advocacy Coalition website.