BOSTON, Mass., April 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On April 29, the National Patient Safety Foundation is bringing together some of the country's leading experts in pediatric patient safety to serve as faculty for a full-day intensive program on this topic. Keeping Kids Safe During Care: Advancements and Lessons from Pediatrics, is one of several Pre-Congress programs planned for the 17th Annual NPSF Patient Safety Congress in Austin, Texas.
Three-quarters of all children in the U.S. had seen a doctor in the six months prior to the most recent National Health Interview Survey (2012). With more than 70 million children under the age of 17 in the country, that amounts to many health care encounters, not only with pediatricians, but also with family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians. Sick children are cared for in children's hospitals, community hospitals, academic medical centers, and outpatient settings, making pediatric patient safety a relevant concern for large numbers of the health care provider sector.
"Safety must be a top priority for anyone involved in the care of children and their families," said Richard Brilli, MD, FAAP, MCCM. "As health care becomes increasingly complex, practitioners need to stay current on the ever evolving safety science and how to practically apply it in practice."
Dr. Brilli, chief medical officer, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, is a co-chair of this program along with Matthew Scanlon, MD, CPPS, professor of pediatrics and critical care at Medical College of Wisconsin, and associate medical director of information services, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
"Although certainly focusing on pediatrics, this program is not just for pediatricians," said Dr. Scanlon. "We've designed the content to be useful and relevant to any health professional interested in learning and improving safety for pediatric patients."
In addition to their professional and faculty appointments, Dr. Brilli serves as a member of the Steering Team for Children's Hospitals Solutions for Patient Safety; and Dr. Scanlon is an executive member of Paediatric International Patient Safety and Quality Community.
During this highly interactive Pre-Congress program, faculty will review the framework to identify, analyze, and mitigate safety issues that can arise during pediatric care, and discuss challenges and best practices around keeping children and their families safe when they interact with the health care system.
"We are honored to have such a distinguished faculty coming together to present this program," said Tejal K. Gandhi, MD, MPH, CPPS, president and chief executive officer, NPSF. "They truly represent the leading thinkers—and practitioners—of the art and science of caring for children and families and ensuring their safety."
This Pre-Congress session takes place Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the JW Marriott Austin in Austin, Texas. To view the agenda and link to register, visit http://bit.ly/PC_kidz.
The full two-day meeting follows on April 30-May 1. Press passes to the NPSF Congress are available. Contact Patricia McTiernan at pmctiernan@npsf.org for details about media attendance. For detailed program information, including breakout sessions, faculty, and continuing education, or to register, visit npsf.org/congress
About the National Patient Safety Foundation
The National Patient Safety Foundation's vision is to create a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm. A central voice for patient safety since 1997, NPSF partners with patients and families, the health care community, and key stakeholders to advance patient safety and health care workforce safety and disseminate strategies to prevent harm. NPSF is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about the Foundation's work, visit www.npsf.org.