INR Features

In Iowa, the issue of safety for all Iowans is addressed in Healthy Iowans 2010, which cites unintentional injuries as a serious public health problem often leading to reduction in quality of life due to disabilities and even death. With the publication of the IOM report, which brought patient safety to the attention of the entire country, the Iowa Patient Safety Project was initiated. An Advisory Committee was formed of representatives from nursing, medicine, pharmacy, long-term care, hospitals, and consumer organizations, regulators, policymakers, purchasers, educators, and quality professionals. Using input from the Advisory Committee and with a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and University of Iowa (U of I) has conducted and continues to conduct research on patient safety in Iowa. They have also presented workshops on patient safety.

The University of Iowa research has focused on hospital and long term care systems related to reporting error data as well as using the data to improve care.

The Iowa Department of Public Health research team conducted focus groups with and surveyed nurses, pharmacists, and physicians to determine their perceptions of health system characteristics and specific barriers to patient safety, as well as, the most effective strategies to enhance patient safety within Iowa’s health care system. IDPH received Year 2 funding to continue this research with consumers, payors, and policymakers.

The third patient safety conference will be held June 12^th 2002 in Des Moines and is entitled "Iowa Mobilizing Action for Patient Safety". The results of the U of IDPH research and I will be presented, and CDC representatives will present an update of national patient safety initiatives. If you wish to receive a brochure for this conference please contact Mary Hansen at 515-281-3182.

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