RI creates patient-safety organization

Rhode Island has passed legislation creating a patient-safety organization whose job will be to reduce preventable medical errors in the state. The PSO, which will function under the state's health department, will have functions very much in synch with what's happening elsewhere in the country. These include setting specific patient safety goals and investigating medical-error reports submitted by healthcare facilities and providers as well as payers. The group will also issue annual patient-safety reports. The PSO will be funded through a patient-safety surcharge paid by hospitals, nursing homes, insurers and other healthcare reporting agencies.

At present, the state already requires error reporting by healthcare facilities. But under the new PSO, officials hope that providers will feel comfortable voluntarily reporting problems, which will be held confidential.

To learn more about the new PSO:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece (reg. req.)

Post a comment