Recent advances in the patient safety and quality initiatives movement: implications for neurosurgery

The US health care system is fragmented in terms of quality care, costs, and patient satisfaction. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, national attention has been placed on the health care system, but effective change has yet to be observed. Unnecessary costs, medical errors, and uncoordinated efforts contribute to patient morbidity, mortality, and decreased patient satisfaction. In addition to national efforts, local initiatives within individual departments must be implemented to improve overall satisfaction without the sacrifice of costs. In this article, the current issues with the health care system and potential initiatives for neurosurgery are reviewed.