9 MARCH 2025Advancing Patient Safety Through Technology and Collaborationonly improved the efficiency of reporting but also created a more resilient and responsive framework for protecting patients. Digitalised patient safety initiatives play a transformative role in enhancing outcomes and overall patient satisfaction by leveraging technology to create safer, more efficient, and patient-centred care environments. I think digitalisation has improved incident reporting and response times, this leads to reducing the likelihood of harm and demonstrate a commitment to patient safety. We at Mid Yorkshire have experienced this when we compare our patient safety data to previous years, prior to the introduction of electronic reporting in the organisation, we reported an average of 6,000 incidents in a year. However once we introduced electronic reporting this increased to over 18,000 and continues to grow. 98% of these incidents are near miss/no harm. This demonstrates an active and learning patient safety culture.Advice for Aspiring Patient Safety ProfessionalsFor aspiring professionals looking to make a positive impact in the patient safety arena, my advice would centre on several key areas. Creating a culture of patient safety is fundamental. Aspiring professionals should work towards cultivating an environment where safety is a shared responsibility among all staff. This means encouraging open communication; where nursing, medical staff, and other healthcare professionals feel supported in reporting errors or near misses without fear of blame. Also, be that supportive ear, listen to staff and reach out to support staff who may have been involved in a patient safety event. You may not be able to take all immediate actions, however it will demonstrate compassionate collaboration. Also, successful patient safety initiatives require the cooperation and input of both nursing and medical staff, at Mid Yorkshire, we engage in collaborative efforts, participate in safety committees, and seek advocates from nurses and doctors who are already involved in quality improvement initiatives. Engage in continuing education, attend workshops, and become familiar with tools/frameworks such as Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS). Data is at the heart of patient safety. Aspiring professionals should develop skills in data analysis and use evidence-based practices to drive improvements. Lastly, be a role model for safety practices. Show commitment to patient safety in your daily actions, whether it's through adherence to protocols, promoting hand hygiene, or participating in safety huddles. Demonstrating dedication to patient safety will inspire others and reinforce the importance of a safety-first mindset. In summary I would advise ­ "Empower Collaboration, Drive Improvement, Prioritise Patient Safety." DEMONSTRATING DEDICATION TO PATIENT SAFETY WILL INSPIRE OTHERS AND REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF A SAFETY-FIRST MINDSET
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