Publication Date: September 2nd, 2004
Publication Type(s): Peer-reviewed Journal Publications
Topic(s): Quality
Author(s): Coburn, A., Wakefield, M., Casey, M., Moscovice, I., Payne, S., and Loux, S.
Abstract: Since reports on patient safety were issued by the Institute of Medicine, a number of interventions have been recommended and standards designed to improve hospital patient safety, including the Leapfrog, evidence-based safety standards. The absence of rural-relevant patient safety standards and interventions may diminish purchaser and public perceptions of rural hospitals, further undermining the financial stability of rural hospitals. This study sought to assess the current evidence concerning rural hospital patient safety and to identify a set of rural-relevant patient safety interventions that the majority of small rural hospitals could readily implement and that rural hospitals, purchasers, consumers, and others would find relevant and useful. These interventions should help rural hospitals prioritize patient safety efforts.
Published in: Journal of Rural Health