Patient-Centered and Safe Care
Patient-Centered and Safe Care: Ensuring Quality in Health Care Delivery
(Patient-Centered and Safe Care)
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) developed six specific aims to ensure the delivery and improvement of health care. Choose two from the six aims: Safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable (Institute of Medicine, 2001). Of the two aims you chose, discuss the effects on the delivery of quality care. Give an example of how a hospital or physician practice can meet these aims.
Your initial post should be 250-500 words and utilize at least one scholarly source from the Ashford University Library to justify your choices. Sources must be cited in APA format as outlined in the Ashford.
Patient-Centered and Safe Care
Ensuring Quality in Health Care Delivery
The Institute of Medicine (IOM), now known as the National Academy of Medicine, identified six essential aims to transform health care delivery: safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable care. Among these aims, patient-centered and safe care are fundamental for enhancing the quality of health services. Both aims not only address immediate patient needs but also contribute to long-term health outcomes by minimizing risks and prioritizing patient preferences.
Patient-Centered Care and Its Impact on Quality
Patient-centered care emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting each patient’s unique preferences, values, and needs. This approach encourages active patient participation in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of empowerment and collaboration. By prioritizing patient involvement, health care providers are better positioned to deliver care that aligns with the individual’s expectations, ultimately improving satisfaction and trust.
For example, a hospital implementing patient-centered strategies may create personalized care plans, actively engage patients and families in discussions about treatment options, and offer culturally sensitive care. Such measures help bridge communication gaps, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure that care plans reflect patient desires and health goals. Research has shown that when patients feel respected and heard, adherence to treatment protocols improves, and clinical outcomes are more favorable (Epstein & Street, 2011).
A practical example of patient-centered care in action is the use of shared decision-making models in chronic disease management. In a primary care setting, physicians collaborate with patients to explore various treatment pathways, weighing the benefits and risks of each option. This shared responsibility not only educates patients about their health conditions but also enhances their commitment to follow prescribed therapies, resulting in better health outcomes and reduced hospital readmissions.
Safe Care and Its Impact on Quality
The IOM defines safe care as the prevention of harm to patients during the provision of health services. Ensuring safety in healthcare settings requires systematic efforts to prevent medical errors, reduce risks, and maintain a secure environment for patients. Safe care is a cornerstone of quality because it directly affects patient survival, recovery rates, and overall trust in the healthcare system.
Hospitals can meet the aim of safe care by implementing evidence-based protocols that minimize errors and enhance patient monitoring. For instance, the use of checklists in surgical settings has been proven to reduce the incidence of preventable complications. A study by Haynes et al. (2009) demonstrated that the implementation of a surgical safety checklist led to significant reductions in morbidity and mortality rates. This tool ensures that critical steps are not missed during surgery, improving patient safety and confidence in the healthcare team.
Meeting Both Aims in Practice
To effectively integrate both patient-centered and safe care, healthcare organizations can adopt Electronic Health Records (EHRs) that enhance communication, streamline documentation, and facilitate access to patient information. EHRs allow physicians to track patient histories comprehensively, reduce medication errors, and customize care plans according to patient needs and medical history.
By prioritizing both patient-centered and safe care, healthcare providers can significantly improve the delivery of quality services, ensuring that patients receive not only effective but also compassionate and secure care. These principles, grounded in evidence-based practice, pave the way for a more resilient and trustworthy healthcare system.
References
Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L. (2011). The values and value of patient-centered care. Annals of Family Medicine, 9(2), 100–103. https://www.annfammed.org/content/9/2/100.full
Haynes, A. B., Weiser, T. G., Berry, W. R., Lipsitz, S. R., Breizat, A.-H. S., Dellinger, E. P., … & Gawande, A. A. (2009). A surgical safety checklist to reduce morbidity and mortality in a global population. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(5), 491–499. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa0810119
