A framework for operationalizing risk: A practical approach to patient safety.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety Research
• Quality Improvement Science

Background:

• Growing recognition of patient safety's importance.
• Identified gap in practical application resources for patient safety.
• Need for a structured approach to managing risks in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a framework for addressing patient safety.
• To illustrate practical applications of the patient safety framework.
• To describe resource requirements and integration with quality management.

Main Methods:

• Overview of the Johns Hopkins Health System's patient safety framework.
• Analysis of patient safety risks at patient, provider, unit, and system levels.
• Description of practical implementation examples and resource needs.

Main Results:

• A multi-level risk-based framework for patient safety is detailed.
• Practical examples demonstrate the framework's application.
• The framework's integration into the broader quality management infrastructure is outlined.

Conclusions:

• The presented framework offers a structured approach to enhancing patient safety.
• Effective patient safety requires a multi-level risk assessment and resource allocation.
• Integration within quality management supports the pursuit of high reliability in healthcare systems.