# Partnerships to advance patient safety and address preventable harm: case studies from international health care leaders

## TL;DR

This paper explores how healthcare leaders can use partnerships and new technologies to improve patient safety and reduce preventable harm.

## Contribution

The paper introduces three actionable strategies for healthcare leaders based on international case studies to enhance patient safety through strategic partnerships.

## Key findings

- Strategic partnerships are essential for healthcare organizations to implement proactive patient safety measures.
- Emerging technologies like predictive analytics and AI offer new ways to anticipate and prevent patient harm.
- International case examples demonstrate successful approaches to scaling patient safety initiatives.

## Abstract

There have been notable improvements in patient safety in recent years; however, significant challenges remain in reducing the incidence of preventable patient harm. Supporting patient safety efforts is increasingly important given increasing complexity of care and changing health needs, especially with aging populations. Emerging technologies and capabilities open new possibilities to address longstanding patient safety problems. For example, predictive analytics to support provider decision-making, increased patient interest in engagement in their care, and artificial intelligence provide opportunities to further reduce harm. Many of these examples support a more proactive approach to patient safety by focusing on anticipating, predicting, and preventing patient harm; however, implementation is essential to avoid unintended consequences. Additionally, health care organizations oftentimes cannot accomplish this work on their own and strategic partnerships are crucial for continued improvement. This paper proposes a strategic focus for health care leaders as they build comprehensive plans to prevent harm from adverse events. Drawing on international case examples from the Future of Health Community, it outlines actionable approaches to partnerships that can be adapted and implemented across diverse health care organizations.

How can health care leaders implement comprehensive plans to prevent harm from adverse events and identify strategies to successfully scale patient safety initiatives? This paper outlines 3 key strategies from international health care leaders across diverse organizations.