Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: From global to local community levels, patients and families/caregivers experience the devastating impact of medical errors and adverse drug events. Statistics on patients harmed are alarming both in the number of people who suffer harm and the frequency with which these events occur. Systematic reviews on this topic are sorely needed. So, what can patients do at the global to local levels to participate more meaningfully in systematic reviews, and to assist in knowledge translation at the practice level? What can patients do to more effectively collaborate with others in improving and enhancing patient safety knowledge transfer and change in practices? The ultimate goal is to improve the patient safety statistical evidence locally, nationally and globally.
Objectives: The objectives of the initiative undertaken were to (1) bring a diverse group of people with 'real-life' experiences of health system failures together and enable them to become worldwide, regional and local patient safety "champions" and (2) have these champions collaborate on identifying patient safety knowledge translation strategies to effect practice changes at all levels of health care. This included discussion of the evidence and systematic reviews. Initiatives were supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Patients for Patient Safety (PFPS), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI).
Methods: A qualitative appreciative inquiry design was used in which workshops brought patient safety 'champions' together as part of the WHO (London 2005) and PAHO (San Francisco 2006) meetings. Participants were selected by three criteria related to their experiences as patients or caregivers and their demonstrated commitment to working with the health system and professions to achieve patient safety changes through knowledge translation. Knowledge translation strategies were developed through workshops. The information was collected and common themes were identified to be used for the development of charters or declarations, as well as strategies for systematic reviews, tool kits for education at professional and public levels, and other initiatives.
Results: Twenty-one participants from nineteen countries participated in the London workshop; forty-four including Canadians attended the PAHO workshop. Each group developed networking and knowledge translation strategies based on shared experiences and practices. The London Declaration on Patients for Patient Safety from the WHO workshop, and the values/position statement, principles and actions from the PAHO meeting has set the stage for a Canadian Patients for Patient Safety (CPPS) network to initiate efforts to improve the level of patient safety across Canada working at an individual level or as a team. Strategies have been identified for the next two to five years.
Conclusions: By actively building their capacity, the CPPS network has initiated collaborations with regional health authorities, hospitals and various groups within & outside of the health care system. A plan has been developed with short and long-term initiatives, including collaborating on advocacy and research projects such as systematic reviews. Although knowledge translation and practice changes must happen at local levels, there is the realization that collaboration of all stakeholders in a unified effort to address patient safety will provide a powerful force in supporting efforts of patient safety champions at all levels.
Objectives: The objectives of the initiative undertaken were to (1) bring a diverse group of people with 'real-life' experiences of health system failures together and enable them to become worldwide, regional and local patient safety "champions" and (2) have these champions collaborate on identifying patient safety knowledge translation strategies to effect practice changes at all levels of health care. This included discussion of the evidence and systematic reviews. Initiatives were supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Patients for Patient Safety (PFPS), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI).
Methods: A qualitative appreciative inquiry design was used in which workshops brought patient safety 'champions' together as part of the WHO (London 2005) and PAHO (San Francisco 2006) meetings. Participants were selected by three criteria related to their experiences as patients or caregivers and their demonstrated commitment to working with the health system and professions to achieve patient safety changes through knowledge translation. Knowledge translation strategies were developed through workshops. The information was collected and common themes were identified to be used for the development of charters or declarations, as well as strategies for systematic reviews, tool kits for education at professional and public levels, and other initiatives.
Results: Twenty-one participants from nineteen countries participated in the London workshop; forty-four including Canadians attended the PAHO workshop. Each group developed networking and knowledge translation strategies based on shared experiences and practices. The London Declaration on Patients for Patient Safety from the WHO workshop, and the values/position statement, principles and actions from the PAHO meeting has set the stage for a Canadian Patients for Patient Safety (CPPS) network to initiate efforts to improve the level of patient safety across Canada working at an individual level or as a team. Strategies have been identified for the next two to five years.
Conclusions: By actively building their capacity, the CPPS network has initiated collaborations with regional health authorities, hospitals and various groups within & outside of the health care system. A plan has been developed with short and long-term initiatives, including collaborating on advocacy and research projects such as systematic reviews. Although knowledge translation and practice changes must happen at local levels, there is the realization that collaboration of all stakeholders in a unified effort to address patient safety will provide a powerful force in supporting efforts of patient safety champions at all levels.