Adverse events in community care: implications for practice, policy and research

Adverse events in community care constitute a system-wide issue that warrants attention from all healthcare system stakeholders. Improving patient safety and preventing adverse events will require policy at multiple levels that addresses (1) local healthcare system integration, (2) competition and financing, (3) technology and electronic records, (4) collaboration and communication among providers, (5) organizational culture and (6) education for clinicians, patients and caregivers. This article describes the results of a symposium in which 31 healthcare professionals from 18 organizations were asked to discuss adverse events and to identify important implications for practice, policy and research. Results include prioritized lists of what providers can do to prevent adverse events, suggested policy changes and information needed from research.