WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for Patient Safety recently received a $20,000 grant and was named one of 15 finalists in the “Innovations in American Government” awards program. The public service award recognized VA for a program to reduce health care errors by addressing vulnerabilities and developing an organizational culture of safety.
The innovations awards, started in 1986, are sponsored by the Ford Foundation and administered by Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government. Five of the 15 finalists will be chosen in October to receive $100,000 each.
“Delivering safer health care to veterans has been a major priority for VA,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “It is gratifying that VA is also being recognized for forging the path toward safer health care for other public and private sector health care facilities.”
The National Center for Patient Safety began in 1997 to provide a comprehensive program to assist in preventing medical errors. The center uses a systems approach in error measurement and encourages health care professionals to report errors and close calls so that the causes can be studied.
“This accomplishment is the result of successful teamwork within the Department of Veterans Affairs, from the level of the Secretary to front line health care and support service staff,” said Dr. James Bagian, director of VA’s National Center for Patient Safety.
VA operates the largest health care system in the United States, providing care to approximately 3.6 million veterans at more than 1,300 sites, including 163 hospitals, 800 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics, 206 counseling centers, 135 nursing homes and 43 domiciliary facilities.
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