Rethinking Patient Safety

In the last 15 years we've seen a multitude of improvement programs and projects to improve the safety of patient care in healthcare. However, the full potential of these efforts and especially those that seek to address an entire system has not yet been reached. A different way of thinking is needed in terms of changing behavior and practices as well as processes and systems. If we are to save lives and significantly reduce patient harm, we need to adopt a holistic, systematic approach that extends across cultural, technological and procedural boundaries. Through tips and examples, the author describes the lessons learned in working at a national level in the NHS in patient safety.

Dr. Suzette Woodward, Dprof, MSc, PGDMS, RSCN, RGN is an internationally respected patient safety expert who has a background in paediatric intensive care nursing. She's worked for 35 years in the NHS, the last fifteen years at a national level in Patient Safety. She earned a Doctorate in Patient Safety which won the prize of the year and built upon the knowledge gained in an MSc in Clinical Risk. Her current role is National Director of Sign Up to Safety campaign; leading on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health in England. At an international level, she has worked with WHO and health ministries across the world. She has been named as one of the top 50 inspirational women in the NHS in 2013; top 50 nursing leader in 2014 and top clinical leader in the NHS in 2015. Previously she was the Executive Director of Safety, Learning and People at the NHS Litigation Authority. Prior to that she was the Director of Patient Safety at the NHS Commissioning Board.