News and Media

Welcome to Quality Buzz. Quality Buzz is dedicated to bringing you all the latest news and information to help you improve the quality of your health care. We update this section weekly and hope that it will become an important resource for you.

October 26, 2009 — New Resource for Patients in Hospitals

Josie's Story Comes to Massachusetts

Sorrell King, among the most compelling advocates for patient safety, was in town last week. Her 18-month old daughter, Josie, died eight years ago as a result of preventable medical errors in the hospital. Since then, Sorrell has told Josie's story to literally thousands of nurses, doctors, administrators and trustees, challenging them to make system improvements to eliminate medical errors.

Sorrell's book "Josie's Story: A Mother's Inspiring Crusade to Make Medical Care Safer" was published last month. In it, she offers simple steps patients or patient advocates can take to stay safe in the hospital. Among them: bring a notebook to keep track of information (names of doctors and nurses, tests/procedures, medications, questions to ask).


Her suggestions are the basis of a "Care Journal" that is available from The Josie King Foundation.

Consumer Engagement in Payment Reform

The Massachusetts Legislature is taking up recommendations of the Special Commission on the Health Care Payment System, which proposed moving Massachusetts health care providers to a "global payment" system.

Engaged consumers need to be at the heart of patient-centered care envisioned by the Commission in order for it to be successful. The Partnership has joined with several consumers groups, led by Leadership Council member Health Care for All, in support of policies that encourage consumer engagement.

Your Ideas To Transform the Health Care System

Don Berwick and Tom Nolan of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), are asking for your input on how to design a low-cost, high-quality health care system for the future. To learn more, submit your ideas and stories, and engage in a conversation about health system transformation, click here.

Dinner/Auction to Benefit MITSS

MITSS, a member of the Partnership's Leadership Council, is holding its annual benefit on November 12th. MISS provides services to support healing and restore hope to patients and clinicians who have been impacted by a medical error or adverse event.
 

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