Free From Harm: Accelerating Patient Safety Improvement Fifteen Years After To Err Is Human.

Boston, MA: National Patient Safety Foundation; 2015.

This report provides an objective assessment of the state of the safety field 15 years after the release of the Institute of Medicine's To Err Is Human. Acknowledging that progress has been slower than anticipated, the report makes eight recommendations for achieving total system safety, including creating a common set of safety metrics that reflect meaningful outcomes, establishing and sustaining a culture of safety, centralizing oversight of patient safety at the national level, improving the safety of information technology, and supporting patients, families, and the health care workforce. The report also highlights the need for greater investment in patient safety, particularly in the outpatient and long-term care areas. Dr. Tejal Gandhi, President and CEO of the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF), discussed the evolving responsibilities of NPSF in a 2014 PSNet interview.