As the initial panic around Ebola declines, we have time to reflect on what changes should be made to the care provided in the physician office setting, clinic or urgent care.  With the flu season poking its head around the corner many physicians and office staff ponder the need for additional vigilance in their daily practice. 

Cultivating a culture of patient safety might seem like a dauntingly ambitious goal, but the rewards can be huge. No transformation is more essential to engaging the hearts and minds of health care professionals, effecting and sustaining improvement, revitalizing the workplace and turning the tide of ongoing patient safety epidemic, and there is much leadership can do to support this transformation.

Ideal risk reduction strategies will focus on the transition process from the inpatient to the outpatient setting.

Having members of your care team “shadow” a patient through the process of receiving care can help identify ways to improve the patient experience and increase efficiency.

Hospitals strive to have the right culture, particularly when it comes to patient safety, but measuring improvement can be challenging. It’s not enough to strive for a health culture, says one expert. You also have to know if you’re getting any closer to your goal.