West Virginia Center for Patient Safety earns federal designation

Center is Partnership between WVMI, Hospital Association and Medical Association

The West Virginia Center for Patient Safety has been recognized as one of the nation’s leaders in patient safety by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which has approved its Patient Safety Organization (PSO) application.

As a PSO, the West Virginia Center is authorized to collect, aggregate and analyze health care data provided by partnering medical facilities and initiate projects to improve care in a non-punitive environment. The Center’s goal is to continuously improve safety and quality of care for West Virginia health care consumers.

The Center is a partnership of the West Virginia Medical Institute (WVMI), the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA) and the West Virginia State Medical Association (WVSMA). The three organizations formed the Center at the conclusion of the West Virginia Patient Safety Project, a successful three-year AHRQ funded grant focused on using technology to improve safety in rural hospitals.

WVMI Chief Executive Officer John Wiesendanger said all three organizations are enthusiastic about moving forward with the important work of improving patient safety in West Virginia.

“Our state has made great strides in patient safety, and the work of the Patient Safety Center advances our efforts to improve the health care of the people we serve.”

WVHA President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Letnaunchyn agreed.

"This PSO designation for our Center will provide a mechanism for West Virginia's hospitals to continue the great work they have already started on patient safety initiatives."

WVSMA Executive Director Evan Jenkins said the partnership provides the opportunity for each organization to positively impact West Virginia’s health care consumers.

“At the core of each of our organizations’ missions is the commitment to protect and enhance, to the greatest extent possible, the safety of our patients. In this era of increased attention on health care reform, our three organizations working together through the newly established West Virginia Center for Patient Safety recognize that the safety of the people served by our state’s health care system is a priority concern. We are honored to have received the PSO designation and look forward to broadening our activities and services throughout West Virginia.”

The federal Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, also known as the Patient Safety Act, authorized the creation of PSOs to reduce the incidence of events that adversely affect patients. More information about PSOs can be found at the AHRQ Web site or contact Patty Ruddick at WVMI.