Becoming a physician is a not just a career choice, it is “a calling” and a lifelong commitment. Unfortunately, for many physicians, the professional rewards of status, security, and meaningful work are threatened by an avalanche of responsibility and stress characterizing today’s practice environment and further contributing to an escalating epidemic of physician stress and burnout.

A “culture of patient safety” is often defined as an organization’s collective commitment to patient safety as the number one priority. Heathcare leaders should consider implementing these six tips to Cultivate a Culture of Safety at their medical facilities.

Dr. Shapiro’s concerns are supported by an abundance of data concerning medication risks. As the mainstay therapy of modern medicine, medication errors represent the most common type of patient safety error: the average hospitalized patient is subject to at least one medication error per day.

It is important to consider implementing a culture of patient safety at your health care organization – whether it is large or small, a hospital, large group practice, or other type medical facility. There’s a lot leaders can do to support and foster this transformation.

Hopefully, medicine will look to other high risk industries with improved safety records and adopt best practices or rigorously enforce its own regulations to eliminate multiple distractions that plague OR physicians and staff.