More than 2,600 lives were saved by patient safety efforts from 2004 through 2015, according to estimates from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority. Additionally, the efforts saved the state's healthcare system an estimated $147 million in the same time span.
To create the estimates, the state safety authority looked at data collected on patient falls, central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, wrong-site surgery and adverse events with significant harm. The organization then computed and analyzed event trends to calculate theoretical lives lost and money saved.
Analysis revealed the organization's statewide efforts to improve educational efforts to reduce patient harm and inform legislation were ultimately effective.
"We know that our engagement with healthcare facilities and other organizations plays a huge role in the positive outcomes we have seen from our work," said Regina Hoffman, executive director for the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority. "Are patients safer in Pennsylvania because of the collective efforts connected with the establishment of the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act and subsequent legislation? This question is ever present, and now we have an answer, one about which we are extremely proud. However, we know there is still much to do."
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