Qualidigm - Qualidigm Patient Safety Organization

Qualidigm Patient Safety Organization

Project Overview
What's New
Tools & Resources
FAQs
Project Team
Events

Project Overview

Imagine a health care system where every person receives the right care every time, and where staff and providers have the tools and resources to deliver that care. Qualidigm is dedicated to realizing this vision.

In 2004 Qualidigm was designated as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) by the State of Connecticut and is working to assist health care facilities on how to use a variety of techniques and strategies to improve and evaluate patient safety, health care quality and health care outcomes. As a PSO, Qualidigm is committed to helping providers deliver care that is consistently safe, effective, efficient, timely, person-centered and equitable.

The Qualidigm Patient Safety Organization believes that while most safety and quality issues in health care are national concerns, most of the solutions need to be “local.” With that in mind, Qualidigm’s aim is to offer successful approaches that can be adapted to best meet its members’ unique organizational needs.

The Qualidigm PSO provides a collaborative learning environment where facilities continuously improve their patient safety initiatives while developing a culture of safety. Our PSO work is not related to the adverse event reporting provision of the Connecticut state law. All data and information are kept confidential, and all activities focus on process and system improvement.

Qualidigm's Approach:

Our staff works with health care facilities to implement and strengthen patient safety programs by:

Partnership Building

Co-sponsoring of patient safety activities and events with other PSOs, health care providers and government agencies.

Patient Safety Training and Consulting

Facilitating interactive workshops on how to conduct a “root cause” investigation, medication reconciliation, falls assessment and interventions, infection control, and SBAR communication.
Promoting interventions to improve patient safety/quality of care and services tailored to your organization’s needs.
Facilitating change management and development of a culture of safety.
Organizing case study discussions.
Coordinating WebEx educational and training sessions.

Marketing and Communications

Publishing an electronic Patient Safety News Flash monthly.

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What's New

In July 2005 President Bush signed into law the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act. The President characterized it as a “common-sense law” that protects health professionals who report adverse events to Patient Safety Organizations. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has stated it is working with the Department for Health and Human Services to design federal PSO certification and implementation specifics for the new law.

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Tools & Resources

AHRQ Patient Safety Network
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
National Patient Safety Foundation
National Quality Forum (NQF)
Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors
Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare
SBAR - Quality - The Communication Connection - Presentation 6/17/07

Patient Safety News Flash Archive (Member Password Required)

Issue 1 - February 15, 2006
Issue 2 - March 17, 2006
Issue 3 - April 28, 2006
Issue 4 - June 5, 2006
Issue 5 - June 30, 2006
Issue 6 - July 31, 2006
Issue 7 - August 31, 2006
Issue 8 - September 30, 2006
Issue 9 - November 1, 2006
Issue 10 - December 5, 2006
Issue 11 - January 11, 2007
Issue 12 - February 15, 2007
Issue 13 - March 15, 2007
Issue 14 - April 16, 2007
Issue 15 - May 15, 2007
Issue 16 - June 19, 2007
Issue 17 - July 20, 2007
Issue 18 - August 15, 2007
Issue 19 - September 15, 2007
Issue 20 - October 15, 2007
Issue 21 - November 15, 2007
Issue 22 - December 15, 2007

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FAQs

How did Qualidigm become a PSO?
Qualidigm was designated as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) by the State of Connecticut in accordance with Public Act 04-164.

What makes the Qualidigm PSO unique?
A unique feature of the Qualidigm PSO is the diverse clinical settings that its member facilities represent. Our diverse membership provides opportunities to adapt and apply best practices and learning from one setting across the continuum of care.

Who can join the Qualidigm PSO?
Any licensed health care facility (hospital or outpatient surgical facility) in Connecticut is eligible to join the Qualidigm PSO. Contact Nancy Safer to initiate your membership.

What benefits are there to joining the Qualidigm PSO?
Facilities that join the Qualidigm PSO meet the State of Connecticut requirement established for licensed hospital or outpatient surgical facilities to work with one or more patient safety organizations. Membership includes access to group and one-on-one expert consultation, opportunity to attend educational workshops, subscription to Qualidigm's monthly electronic Patient Safety News Flash service and ability to participate in case study teleconferences.

Since Qualidigm is also a Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) under contract with Medicare, can a PSO member's information be shared with authorities?
No, Qualidigm's PSO services are distinctly separate from its function as a QIO, and by law Qualidigm must keep its PSO and QIO activities separate. The Qualidigm PSO is governed exclusively by the terms of its PSO contract with each member. Each contract includes strict confidentiality requirements prohibiting release of any PSO client information.

What does membership in Qualidigm's PSO cost?
PSO membership is on an annual basis. Contact Nancy Safer at Qualidigm for membership fees.

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PSO Team Contact Information:

Patient Safety Organization Manager
Nancy Safer, RN, MSN
860.632.3733
nsafer@qualidigm.org

Patient Safety Organization Consultant
Michael Pineau, RN, MS
860.632.3737
mpineau@qualidigm.org

Administrative Assistant
Linda Edwards
860.632.6306
ledwards@qualidigm.org

Clinical Advisor
Mark Metersky, MD

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Events

View all Patient Safety Events

Professionals

Qualidigm Patient Safety Organization

Project Overview

Qualidigm's Approach:

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What's New

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Tools & Resources

Patient Safety News Flash Archive (Member Password Required)

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FAQs

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PSO Team Contact Information:

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Events