NPSF announces new strategic plan

20-02-2014

The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) has announced a new strategic plan that outlines a revitalized mission and vision.

“Our strategic plan sets ambitious but achievable goals as we pursue our vision of creating a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm,” said Dr Tejal Gandhi, president of NPSF.

“We look forward to expanding our community by collaborating with patients, healthcare professionals and leaders, and other key stakeholders to advance safety science and best practices.”

Dr Gandhi, in collaboration with the NPSF Board of Directors and Board of Governors, initiated the strategic planning process to bring new focus to the Foundation’s broad portfolio of programs. The new vision and mission address both patient safety and healthcare worker safety with an emphasis on expanding upon the Foundation’s strong tradition of partnership and collaboration.

The new vision is: creating a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm. The mission is to partner with patients and families, the healthcare community, and key stakeholders to advance patient safety and healthcare workforce safety and disseminate strategies to prevent harm.

The strategic plan outlines four main areas of focus that build upon the Foundation’s strengths in promoting shared learning, convening multiple stakeholders, and advancing innovation through thought leadership.

The first area is to engage with patients, families, and communities: NPSF will foster collaboration among patients and families and the healthcare community to identify and create strategies and disseminate tools to improve patient safety.

NPSF also aims to engage the healthcare Community. According to the plan, “NPSF will be the growing and vital healthcare community that advances patient and workforce safety through cutting-edge educational offerings, shared learning, and professional advancement.”

NPSF plans to engage with key stakeholders (industry leaders, associations, foundations, other quality/safety organizations) to identify and evaluate safety issues requiring best practices, solutions, or business innovation.

It also aims to impact healthcare leaders and policy makers, guiding them to advance patient safety in the evolving market, in particular through the work of the NPSF think tank, the Lucian Leape Institute.

“NPSF represents a unique organization where individuals with different roles in our healthcare systems—from patients and families to nurses, physicians, and hospital administrators—come together to work on a common goal of creating a kinder and safer system of care for those we serve,” said Gerald Hickson, chairman of the NPSF board of directors and senior vice president for quality, safety, and risk prevention at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “I am particularly excited that our new vision and mission specifically adds an important focus on the health and well-being of those who provide care.”

 

National Patient Safety Foundation, NPSF, Dr Tejal Gandhi