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

The biggest patient safety initiative in the history of the NHS

Source:  NHS England

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Date of publication:  January 2014

Publication type:  Blog item

In a nutshell:  In this blog, Dr Mike Durkin, NHS England National Director of Patient Safety, reflects on a ‘design day’ event that has seen work begin in earnest to create a countrywide network to improve patient safety across England. At the event, 120 leaders and experts in patient safety joined forces to combine their knowledge and experience to begin to shape the future of patient safety collaboratives.

Length of Publication:  1 web page

Patient safety: NHS middle managers can bridge gap between ward and board

Source:  Guardian Professional, Thursday 21 November 2013

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Date of publication:  November 2013

Publication type:  News item

In a nutshell:  This article states that organisations need to realise and act upon concerns arising from the front line. It says that breaks in the information chain between day-to-day clinical practice and management structures have led to sub-standard services and that the flow of information needs to be improved. This can be done, it is argued by the knowledge-brokering power of “hybrid middle managers”, who can act as a two-way mirror; capable not just of assimilating top-down management knowledge but also of translating and transmitting ideas belonging to clinical practice back up into their organisation.

Length of Publication:  1 web page

Social capital and knowledge sharing: effects on patient safety

Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing  vol/iss 68/8  DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05871.x

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Date of publication: August 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Knowledge sharing is very important to patient safety.  The impact is felt in many areas of patient safety – including learning, problem-solving and managerial decision making.  This article looks at the influence social capital has on knowledge sharing.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Acknowledgement: CINAHL