Few hospitals have created surveillance programs for diagnostic errors. Fewer have programs to translate those opportunities into improvement efforts to prevent future harm. IHQSE faculty Drs. Katie Raffel and Jeff Glasheen are part of the ADEPT working group funded through an AHRQ grant to build such a program. In this paper the authors share the methodology for building the surveillance program, creating the benchmarking dashboards, understanding the areas of opportunity, and building interventions. The program is live in 16 US hospitals.

A recent study by IHQSE alumna Jessica Kenny, PhD found that 7% of adolescents endorsed suicidal ideation (SI) in the most recent two weeks during a primary care visit. Multiple interventions were associated with reductions in SI frequency at a follow-up visit, including PCP referral to integrated behavioral health and family navigators, behavioral health providers conducting a risk assessment, completing a safety plan, involving caregivers, sending the adolescent to the emergency department when indicated, and referring to family navigators. The findings from this study support screening for SI and highlight specific multidisciplinary and family-centered interventions and recommendations to address adolescent endorsement of SI in pediatric primary care settings.

IHQSE Alumna Diane Christopher, MD, was the lead author on a study investigating the current state of quality and patient safety (QPS) efforts in OB/GYN departments in the U.S. Dr. Christopher and her colleagues found that while departments leaders responded overwhelmingly positively regarding work to improve patient safety, most QPS committee leaders received neither protected time nor financial support, and formal training was required in less that one-third of the departments. The study also found that most departments monitored key performance indicators (KPI) for inpatient outcomes, but only half tracked outpatient KPI. Dr. Christopher and her colleagues concluded that OB/GYN departments should invest more resources in QPS efforts to fully realize the benefits to providers, patients, and hospitals.

Recent IHQSE graduate Shannon Acker, MD, was an author on an article published by JAMA advocating for better support systems for trainees during pregnancy and early parenthood. In addition to new policies from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Acker and her colleague emphasize the importance of a cultural shift and a comprehensive network of support for your parents.