A Patient Driven Approach to Patient Safety Interventions

Uju Kelechi Joseph

Abstract

Patient safety remains an important issue within healthcare delivery in the United States. Medical errors account for about 25000 to 400000 deaths, much more morbidities and a significant cost burden each year. Despite several interventions in the last decade, rates of adverse events have been slow to change. Healthcare providers believe that patients have significant roles to play in patient safety. Patients have a positive intention to participate in patient safety interventions. However, patients’ intention to participate in patient safety does not significantly align with their behavior. Most available interventions are based on empirical evidence and incompletely applied theories and models of health behavior. This resulted in inadequate outcome of a behavior change. This article seeks to present a complete health belief model as a suitable model for adopting interventions that enhance patient independence in communication to enhance patient safety. This aims also bring forward patients concerns early while preserving patient doctor relationship.