September 2017

Up Front

Safety leaders share 6 ways to reduce burnout syndrome among providers

Health care worker burnout has been called an “epidemic” and is a growing factor in medical error. What can be done to help? Improved teamwork, mind-body exercises and mentoring can all play a part. 

Safety News

Lighting up Lowell General with disinfecting technology cuts HAIs

The hospital is turning to modern UV-C ceiling fixtures and germ-zapping robots in its fight against healthcare-associated infections. 

Safety Snapshot

Identifying patient safety issues in the ambulatory setting

Survey results offer some insight into outpatient medical office systems that could contribute to safety risks. 

One Last Thing

Restoring joy to the workplace to help combat burnout and staff turnover

Ensuring a joyful workforce means that staff are more engaged and productive, and are less likely to experience provider burnout. 

Upcoming events

The AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Antibiotic Use

When: August - October 2017
What: Tune in to one of five informational webinars to learn more about the 12-month project designed to improve antibiotic stewardship and antibiotic prescribing practices across acute care, long-term care, and ambulatory care facilities.
Click for more information and to register

IHI/NPSF 10th Annual Lucian Leape Institute Forum & Keynote Dinner

When: Thursday, September 28, 2017
What: Meet and connect with national patient safety thought leaders and peers from across health care, and listen to keynote speakers including Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo.
Click for more information and to register

Diagnostic Error in Medicine 10th International Conference

When: October 8-10, 2017
What: This year's theme is Improving Diagnosis: It Takes a Team, and the conference will explore ways to improve diagnostic reliability with a specific focus on the importance of multi-disciplinary perspectives and teamwork.
Click for more information and to register

Nurse Burnout: That Ain’t just Smoke, that’s YOU! How to Avoid Becoming the Human Flashpoint

When: November 30, 2017
What: The Massachusetts Nurses Association presents this program to help nurses prevent, identify and manage compassion fatigue.
Click for more information and to register

Patient Safety Beat is published monthly by the Betsy Lehman Center, a state agency that uses communications, research, and data to catalyze the efforts of providers, policymakers, and consumers working toward safer health care in Massachusetts.