Common use of Patient Safety Clause in Contracts

Patient Safety. Improving the quality of care delivered to members and patients requires significantly increasing the reporting of actual errors and “near misses.” It is recognized that the reporting of such errors can only improve if employees are assured that punitive discipline is not seen as the appropriate choice to handle most errors. We must jointly create a learning environment which views errors as an opportunity for continued, systematic improvement. This environment must encourage all employees to openly report errors or near misses and participate in analyzing the reason for the error and the determination of the resolution and corrective action needed to prevent reoccurrence. The reporting system will include the following components: » reporting of errors, with systematic, standardized analysis of errors and near misses; » communication of learning to help make needed policy and procedure changes; » confidentiality of involved employees unless prohibited by statute or law; » involvement of staff in error analysis and/or resolution; » positive reinforcement for reporting; » training and education programs that enhance skills and competency to help prevent future errors; » maintenance of the integrity of privileged information; and » ability to collect and trend data across the organization. Information regarding errors reported through this system will be handled through the Issue Resolution/Corrective Action process of this Agreement and will not be used as the basis for discipline except in rare cases when punitive discipline is indicated, such as the employee: » was under the influence of drugs or alcohol; » deliberately violated rules or regulations; » specifically intended to cause harm; or » engaged in particularly egregious negligence. Reporting through this system does not relieve the employee of the responsibility to complete an incident report when indicated by policy.

Patient Safety. Improving the quality of care delivered to members and patients requires significantly increasing the reporting of actual errors and “near misses.” It is recognized that the reporting of such errors can only improve if employees are assured that punitive discipline is not seen as the appropriate choice to handle most errors. We must jointly create a learning environment which views errors as an opportunity for continued, systematic improvement. This environment must encourage all employees to openly report errors or near misses and participate in analyzing the reason for the error and the determination of the resolution and corrective action needed to prevent reoccurrence. The reporting system will include the following components: » • reporting of errors, with systematic, standardized analysis of errors and near misses; » • communication of learning to help make needed policy and procedure changes; » • confidentiality of involved employees unless prohibited by statute or law; » • involvement of staff in error analysis and/or resolution; » • positive reinforcement for reporting; » • training and education programs that enhance skills and competency to help prevent future errors; » • maintenance of the integrity of privileged information; and » • ability to collect and trend data across the organization. Information regarding errors reported through this system will be handled through the Issue Resolution/Corrective Action process of this Agreement and will not be used as the basis for discipline except in rare cases when punitive discipline is indicated, such as the employee: » • was under the influence of drugs or alcohol; » • deliberately violated rules or regulations; » • specifically intended to cause harm; or » • engaged in particularly egregious negligence. Reporting through this system does not relieve the employee of the responsibility to complete an incident report when indicated by policy.

Patient Safety. Improving the quality of care delivered to members and patients requires significantly increasing the reporting of actual errors and “near misses.” It is recognized that the reporting of such errors can only improve if employees are assured that punitive discipline is not seen as the appropriate choice to handle most errors. We must jointly create a learning environment which views errors as an opportunity for continued, systematic improvementimprove- ment. This environment must encourage all employees to openly report errors or near misses and participate in analyzing the reason for the error and the determination of the resolution and corrective action needed to prevent pre- vent reoccurrence. The reporting system will include the following componentscompo- nents: » • reporting of errors, with systematic, standardized analysis of errors and near misses; » • communication of learning to help make needed policy poli- cy and procedure changes; » • confidentiality of involved employees unless prohibited by statute or law; » • involvement of staff in error analysis and/or resolution; » • positive reinforcement for reporting; » • training and education programs that enhance skills and competency to help prevent future errors; » • maintenance of the integrity of privileged information; and » • ability to collect and trend data across the organization. Information regarding errors reported through this system sys- tem will be handled through the Issue Resolution/Corrective Action process of this Agreement and will not be used as the basis for discipline except in rare cases when punitive discipline is indicated, such as the employee: » • was under the influence of drugs or alcohol; » • deliberately violated rules or regulations; » • specifically intended to cause harm; or » • engaged in particularly egregious negligence. Reporting through this system does not relieve the employee of the responsibility to complete an incident report when indicated by policy.