In a lengthy interview with the Credentialing Resource Center Journal, Health Care senior counsel Michael Callahan discussed the background and importance of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA) and how Patient Safety Organizations (PSO) and their participating health care providers can and have improved the quality of health care services to patients while also reducing the risk of adverse events.
Michael explained that the creation of a confidential and voluntary reporting system means that medical errors can be collected, analyzed in a protected and privileged environment. The resulting work product, such as reports, minutes and analyses, are not subject to discovery under the PSQIA. This privileged patient safety work product "is utilized with the goal of improving underlying issues by identifying patterns of failures and developing ways to eliminate patient safety risks and hazards."
Michael noted that many organizations do not take full advantage of the patient care benefits afforded under the PSQIA, relying more on their less comprehensive state statutes. Michael further discusses steps to take to maximize these benefits and privilege protections.
"Inside the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act," Credentialing Resource Center Journal, October 12, 2022
Chicago
