The three ages balance for patient safety

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Technology

Background:

• Patient safety perspectives have evolved through distinct but coexisting eras: technological, human factor, and safety management.
• These perspectives are not mutually exclusive and often overlap in practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a compendium of articles on patient safety.
• To explore technological improvements, human factor developments, and organizational safety management impacting patient safety.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and expert opinions in anesthesiology.
• Synthesis of articles from the Current Opinion in Anesthesiology Technology, Education and Safety section.

Main Results:

• Articles address patient safety from technological, human factor, and organizational management viewpoints.
• Identified that solutions to patient safety issues can create new challenges.

Conclusions:

• A multi-faceted approach integrating technology, human factors, and safety management is crucial for patient safety.
• The pursuit of zero preventable harm requires continuous adaptation to new disruptions.