Instead, Patients for Patient Safety recommended that CMS require hospitals to disclose all errors to patients and families, and to provide an accessible mechanism for patients to report errors themselves. This approach, they wrote, would be “a vital step in empowering patients and families with the ability to drive safety improvement.”
Empowering patients with information and a voice in their own care is critical. When patients have access to quality and safety data, they can make more informed decisions about where to seek care. When patients are encouraged to speak up about errors or concerns, they can help prevent harm and improve overall safety in hospitals.
By using its leverage to strengthen quality and safety regulations and to enhance transparency for patients, Medicare can play a significant role in driving improvements in hospital care. Archimedes famously said, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” In the realm of healthcare, Medicare has the leverage to move hospitals toward providing better, safer care for all patients.
It’s time for CMS to harness that leverage and drive meaningful change in the healthcare system. By prioritizing patient safety, empowering patients with information, and holding hospitals accountable for their quality of care, Medicare can truly make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.
Patients for Patient Safety recently highlighted the importance of involving patients in harm reporting systems, as they often notice things that others may miss. Despite their valuable insights, patients are typically excluded from these reporting systems, which limits their ability to contribute to improving healthcare quality and safety. The group has called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to empower patients and families by allowing them to directly report instances of harm.
In a previous Forbes column, it was noted that CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has prioritized empowering the American people to take control of their health and holding healthcare providers accountable for outcomes. The implementation of quality and safety regulations presents a significant opportunity to advance these goals and improve the overall healthcare system.
Drawing on the wisdom of Archimedes, who understood the power of leverage, CMS can leverage its regulatory authority to drive meaningful change in healthcare. By using the leverage provided by quality and safety regulations, CMS has the potential to enact transformative reforms that benefit both patients and providers.
In his book, President Trump emphasized the importance of leverage in negotiations, stating, “Don’t do deals without it.” Similarly, CMS can leverage its regulatory power to drive improvements in healthcare quality and safety, ultimately benefiting patients and providers alike.
By empowering patients to directly report instances of harm, CMS can tap into a valuable source of information that is often overlooked. Patients’ unique perspectives and experiences can provide valuable insights that can help identify areas for improvement and drive positive change in the healthcare system. Through collaboration and partnership with patients, CMS has the opportunity to create a more patient-centered and responsive healthcare system that prioritizes safety and quality of care.
