Government Leaders to Detail Patient Harm Prevention Efforts at World Patient Safety Day Summit

Government Leaders to Detail Patient Harm #Prevention Efforts at World #Patient #Safety Day Summit

Washington, September 8th, 2024

A quarter century after a landmark report galvanized government action on patient safety, senior federal health officials will be discussing ongoing efforts to reduce harm at a September 17th event observing World Patient Safety Day sponsored by Patients for Patient Safety US (PFPS). The focus will be on the thousands of Americans harmed or killed by inaccurate diagnoses.

In November 1999, a report by what is now the National Academy of Medicine stunned policymakers by concluding that up to 98,000 Americans died every year from preventable medical errors in #hospitals: an estimate that’s been steadily revised upwards since. The Federal Leadership Briefing, entitled 25 Years after To Err is Human: A Time to Look Forward, will be held at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, from 2 through 4 PM EDST. The event will also be webcast for virtual attendance.

Confirmed speakers include …

• Robert Otto Valdez, PhD, MHSA, Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

• Michelle Schreiber, MD, Deputy Director, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality; Director of the Quality Measurement and Value based Incentives Group, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• Edward E. Yackel, DNP, Executive Director, Veterans Health Administration National Patient Safety Program

• Preeta Kutty, MD, MS, Deputy Associate Director for Science, Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Ruth Ann Dorrill, Assistant Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

«This is an important opportunity to showcase efforts to prioritize patient safety«, said Beth Daley Ullem, a PFPS co founder. Ullem lost her infant son to a medical error and is one of the session’s co moderators, along with long time activist and researcher Michael L. Millenson.

Separately, PFPS and “AcademyHealth” will host a special showing of The Pitch: Patient Safety’s Next Generation the previous day, Sept. 16, from 7 through 9 PM. The film explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in improving patient safety. Following the film there will be a moderated discussion with The Light Collective, a patient led nonprofit.

A full list of Summit events can be found online. While attendance is free, registration is required. Continuing education credit is also available for certified professionals in patient safety, healthcare quality, and patient experience (CPPS, CPHQ, and CPXP).

Find the full WPSD 2024 DC Summit event list online. There are no fees for any WPSD 2024 events, though registration is required to reserve a seat. Registration to attend the Federal Leadership Briefing in person is here, registration to attend the Federal Leadership Briefing virtually is here, and registration to attend The Pitch Premier in person is here. 

Patients for Patient Safety US: PFPS US is a patient led group affiliated with the World Health Organization and working for a world where everyone receives safe and respectful care.

About Patients for Patient Safety US

Patients for Patient Safety US (PFPS US) is a network of people and organizations aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) and focused on making healthcare safe in the United States.