profession
Patient safety professionals form group
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 28, 2011
Physicians and other health professionals who work in patient safety roles now have a membership organization that will soon start offering a certification program.
The nonprofit National Patient Safety Foundation launched the American Society of Professionals in Patient Safety in February with 175 inaugural members. The society said it is the first individual membership organization in the patient safety field.
Membership in the society is open to professionals whose principal job relates to patient safety, including physicians, medical students, risk managers and patient safety officers. Patient advocates also are eligible to join. A statement by the society said the aim is to "build an engaged, focused community of individuals committed to accelerating the delivery of safe patient care" (link).
The National Patient Safety Foundation already offers continuing education courses and an annual meeting. The society will establish a certification program using evidence-based criteria to help professionals implement error-reduction strategies.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/02/28/prbf0228.htm.
