(Verbatim from Applicant?s Abstract) (A) Problem Statement: The incidence of medical errors calls for improvement of patient safety and the evaluation of reporting strategies and patient safety interventions. State-based mandatory reporting systems have evolved for a variety of reasons, and with varying characteristics. There is a need to characterize and evaluate the actual data and other information contained within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) mandatory hospital reporting system (MARS) to ensure that it can be used to improve patient safety. Methods for utilizing this information as well as communicating information about patient safety and medical errors to patients must be developed. (B) Purpose of Study: The primary purpose of this demonstration project is to evaluate and improve the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) system (MARS) of identifying, collecting and utilizing data and information. The Massachusetts study also provides an opportunity to evaluate the impact of a unique public-private collaboration established to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. Given the public nature of data and information contained in the DPH reporting system, researching the issue of providing general as well as specific information to patients and families is of critical importance. These goals are reflected in the four study aims and related hypotheses and questions that will be addressed in the design of the demonstration project.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Type
Research Demonstration--Cooperative Agreements (U18)
Project #
5U18HS011928-02
Application #
6528430
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHS1-HSR-H (01))
Program Officer
Battles, James
Project Start
2001-09-30
Project End
2004-09-29
Budget Start
2002-09-30
Budget End
2003-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts State Department of Pub Health
Department
Type
DUNS #
878298900
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02108
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Weingart, Saul N; Zhu, Junya; Chiappetta, Laurel et al. (2011) Hospitalized patients' participation and its impact on quality of care and patient safety. Int J Qual Health Care 23:269-77
Weissman, Joel S; Schneider, Eric C; Weingart, Saul N et al. (2008) Comparing patient-reported hospital adverse events with medical record review: do patients know something that hospitals do not? Ann Intern Med 149:100-8