Improving the governance of patient safety in emergency care: a systematic review of interventions

Source:  BMJ Open 6/1

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Date of publication:  January 2016

Publication type:  Systematic review

In a nutshell:  The objective of this study was to systematically review interventions that aim to improve the governance of patient safety within emergency care on effectiveness, reliability, validity and feasibility.

The conclusions were that the characteristics of the interventions included in this review (eg, anonymous incident reporting and validation of incident reports by an independent party) could provide useful input for the design of an effective tool to govern patient safety in emergency medical services organisations and emergency departments. However, executives cannot rely on a robust set of evidence-based and feasible tools to govern patient safety within their emergency care organisation and in the chain of emergency care. Established strategies from other high-risk sectors need to be evaluated in emergency care settings, using an experimental design with valid outcome measures to strengthen the evidence base.

Length of publication:  1 webpage

Codifying knowledge to improve patient safety: A qualitative study of practice-based interventions

Source:  Social Science and Medicine 113 pp. 169-176

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Date of publication:  June 2014

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  Knowledge codification is the conversion of implicit or tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge so that it is effective for making change. Patient safety interventions were implemented by two NHS hospitals through the codification of knowledge. One hospital introduced a structured mortality review process and another hospital used a medication safety scorecard on a general medicine and elderly care ward. Codification helped staff learn about patient safety by structuring the sharing of tacit knowledge. Good organisational governance and support is needed to help translate knowledge across levels.

Length of Publication:  8 pages

Empowerment or rhetoric? Investigating the role of NHS Foundation Trust governors in the governance of patient safety

Source:  Health Policy [Epub ahead of print]

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Date of publication:  June 2013

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell: The authors looked at the ways that NHS Foundation Trusts achieve inclusive governance by involving local communities and analysed this by studying lay governor involvement in the formal governance structures to improve patient safety. Interviews were conducted and observations of meetings and documentary analysis were carried out at a case study site. A national survey and follow up telephone interviews were conducted with the Foundation Trusts. Findings from the survey showed some involvement of governors in the governance of patient safety. The study revealed a lack of inclusivity by Foundation Trusts of lay governors in patient safety governance and it is suggested that action is needed to empower governors to undertake their statutory duties more effectively.

Length of Publication:  Unknown

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

What every healthcare board needs to understand about patient safety

Source: A report from the Good Governance Institute by Andrew Corbett-Nolan and Jonathan Hazan

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Date of publication:  February 2010

Publication type:  Report

In a nutshell: This report considers many issues that contribute to improving the governance of healthcare organisations.

Length of publication:  20 pages

Published by:  Good Governance Institute