Rhonda Davis, MHSA BS RN CPHQ
For the first time, it will be possible to aggregate sufficient volumes of patient safety event data to identify underlying patterns and causes of risks and hazards associated with the delivery of healthcare. To improve patient safety, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety Act) enables patient safety organizations (PSOs) to submit aggregate patient safety event information to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Network of Patient Safety Databases.
There are two types of Common Formats: generic and event-specific. Generic formats apply to all patient safety concerns, including harm, reporter, and location. Event-specific formats pertain to specific types of patient safety events such as falls, healthcare-associated infections, and pressure ulcers. AHRQ’s initial release of the Common Formats is in paper form; however, the agency will release technical specifications in the future.The process began when AHRQ developed Common Formats, which detail definitions, data elements, and reporting formats to help providers collect and submit standardized information on patient safety events.
The goal of Common Formats is to reduce risk to patients by establishing a common language and reporting format to aid in collecting patient safety information in a consistent manner. Common Formats will facilitate rapid learning about underlying causes contributing to risk or harm in the delivery of healthcare. The Common Formats are not intended to replace any mandatory reporting systems already in place.
AHRQ created the Patient Safety Organization Privacy Protection Center (PSOPPC) to help implement the Patient Safety Act. Established to be a resource to PSOs, the PSOPPC can assist PSOs in using Common Formats and with de-identifying data.
To assist AHRQ in updating future versions of the Common Formats, PSOs and other organizations can provide comments at the National Quality Forum Web site athttp://comments.qualityforum.org/. For more information about the PSOPPC and Common Formats, contact the PSOPPC Help Desk at 866/571-7712 or e-mailsupport@psoppc.org.
