Patient safety in Illinois

Every year, JCAHO establishes new patient safety goals that healthcare organizations must follow to maintain accreditation. But now individual states are taking action. Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois recently issued a package of reforms to reduce the number of medical errors and improve patient safety, including:

* Proposing that all providers use e-prescribing by 2011 to reduce the risk of medication errors
* Creating a new Division of Patient Safety within the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to specifically focus on reducing medical mistakes and improving patient safety
* Directing the new Division of Patient Safety to develop standardized medication practices to reduce adverse drug effects
* Directing the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to complete an on-line physician database so patients can learn more about their doctors
* Directing IDPH to expand its nursing home database to help seniors and their families learn more about each facility

“These are just some of the steps we can take to cut down on medical errors and help keep patients safe,” Gov. Blagojevich said. “If we’re successful, our patient safety plan will save money because it will reduce the costs that come with treating medical errors. But far more importantly, it will save lives. It means peace of mind, and better care, for all of us.”