UAB Health System Joins National Safety Group

The UAB Health System now is one of just 39 health organizations nationwide to be listed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO). These institutions are designed to improve the safety and quality of health care through the collection and analysis of data on adverse patient events.

January 15, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB Health System now is one of just 39 health organizations nationwide to be listed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO). These institutions are designed to improve the safety and quality of health care through the collection and analysis of data on adverse patient events.

"We are pleased to be involved in this national effort to enhance the care provided to patients across our country," said UAB Health System CEO Will Ferniany. "Establishing the PSO is extremely valuable as we work to deliver the safest possible patient care."

PSOs create a secure, confidential and legally protected environment where clinicians and health care organizations can collect, aggregate and analyze date that enable the identification and reduction of risks and hazards associated with patient care.

The effort at UAB is being led by Marcus Montgomery, assistant vice president for patient safety and chief patient safety officer at UAB Hospital.