RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A framework for classifying patient safety practices: results from an expert consensus process
JF BMJ Quality & Safety
JO BMJ Qual Saf
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 618
OP 624
DO 10.1136/bmjqs.2010.049296
VO 20
IS 7
A1 Dy, Sydney M
A1 Taylor, Stephanie L
A1 Carr, Lauren H
A1 Foy, Robbie
A1 Pronovost, Peter J
A1 Øvretveit, John
A1 Wachter, Robert M
A1 Rubenstein, Lisa V
A1 Hempel, Susanne
A1 McDonald, Kathryn M
A1 Shekelle, Paul G
YR 2011
UL http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/20/7/618.abstract
AB Objective Development of a coherent literature evaluating patient safety practices has been hampered by the lack of an underlying conceptual framework. The authors describe issues and choices in describing and classifying diverse patient safety practices (PSPs).Methods The authors developed a framework to classify PSPs by identifying and synthesising existing conceptual frameworks, evaluating the draft framework by asking a group of experts to use it to classify a diverse set of PSPs and revising the framework through an expert-panel consensus process.Results The 11 classification dimensions in the framework include: regulatory versus voluntary; setting; feasibility; individual activity versus organisational change; temporal (one-time vs repeated/long-term); pervasive versus targeted; common versus rare events; PSP maturity; degree of controversy/conflicting evidence; degree of behavioural change required for implementation; and sensitivity to context.Conclusion This framework offers a way to classify and compare PSPs, and thereby to interpret the patient-safety literature. Further research is needed to develop understanding of these dimensions, how they evolve as the patient safety field matures, and their relative utilities in describing, evaluating and implementing PSPs.