Patient Safety Organization (PSO)
The final ruling of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA) of 2005
was published in January 19, 2009 to encourage reporting and sharing of medical adverse
events under federal law. This Act promulgated the creation of Patient Safety Organizations
(PSOs). As of August 25, 2012, 78 PSOs are officially listed by the US DHHS Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to partner with healthcare organizations
and collect patient safety work products under the Common Format.
We have been closely studying the development and implementation of PSOs and their
impact on the delivery of care, on an organizational level. Our team is proudly working
to provide independent research support and data monitoring services for PSO Services
Group (PSO#28) and its other partners.
The most significant development related to PSOs is the creation of the National
Medical Safety Board (NMSB), similar to the National Transportation Safety Board,
to investigate and learn from major medical incidents under the structure and protection
of the PSQIA.. We strongly supports this investigative board and will play a significant
role.
On January 28, 2009, nine days after publication of the final rule for PSO, we convened
the first meeting of the PSOs at the Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas to discuss
the implementation of the PSO and sharing of patient safety data. A summary report
Patient Safety Organizations: Transforming Health Care of this meeting is now available.
