Patient Safety: The Positive Impact of Patient Safety Event Reporting

Patient Safety Event Reporting (PSER) is a quality improvement tool used to capture medical errors as they occur. The systematic documentation of errors allows for error dissection after the fact, identification of trends and then subsequent improvements in the processes in which we deliver complex medical care. The goal is to make changes that will prevent similar errors in the future, improving the safety of the patients in our care. Interestingly, the positive impact of event reporting extends beyond improvements in patient safety. In this presentation we will explore the fundamentals of Patient Safety Event Reporting, and then discuss building a culture of safety, providing caregivers both a voice and an active role in the creation of solutions, flattening power dynamics and fostering psychological safety.