The Problem:
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on medical errors, To Err Is Human, published in November 1999, and subsequent media scrutiny of the problem galvanized all segments of the health care industry, including managed care organizations, hospitals, physicians, insurers and employers, to find ways to reduce medical errors.

Employers' interest in the medical error problem stems from concerns about quality, liability, and recognition that the economic and human costs of medical mistakes are shouldered by the employer community. Employers want to ensure that their employees receive high quality health care at safe hospitals. Mistakes in health care lead to sicker patients, longer lengths of stay, re-admissions and unnecessary added costs, all of which also lead to employee absenteeism, reduced productivity and an impaired workforce.

In examining the IOM data, the Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health estimated that 75 preventable deaths and 375 preventable disabilities occurred in one year among its members' DFW-based employee population of approximately 200,000. These medical error problems could be addressed and possibly improved upon.

Patient Safety Initiative
The Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health (DFWBGH) identified an opportunity for employers to play a leadership role in encouraging the health care community to improve health care quality and patient safety. DFWBGH launched a Patient Safety Initiative in January 2001 to encourage, recognize and reward safe health care practices in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) hospitals.

The DFWBGH action plan called for:
	Evaluating current patient safety practices at DFW hospitals
	Working with local providers and health plans to improve safety standard
	Helping DFWBGH members develop market incentives to reward providers and plans that improve health care quality and safety

Since many DFWBGH members are national employers, the business group decided to align its Patient Safety Initiative with the Leapfrog Group's national strategy to improve patient safety. The Leapfrog Group's strategy focuses on a set of three standards that researchers believe will significantly lower the rate of medical errors in hospitals:
1. Evidence-based hospital referrals
2. Computer physician order entry
3. Use of ICU critical care physicians

DFWBGH serves as the Leapfrog Group's Regional Roll-Out Leader. In this role, DFWBGH facilitates hospital's participation in the LFG's annual survey of the hospital's patient safety practices. In 2006, 69% of all DFW hospitals completed the survey and have their results posted on the LFG's public web site.

DFW Hospital Initiative to Reduce Medical Errors
The Educate Before you Medicate was launched in February 2007 by the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council. To date, more than one million easy-to-use medication forms and wallet cards have been distributed, with 40 community partners and 20 hospitals participating. To learn more about this initiative please visit www.dfwhc.org, and click on "Medication Safety Report" under the News and Events box. You may also contact Benjamin Jacob at 972-719-4900.