Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to Offer ABMS(R) Patient Safety Improvement Program to Network ...(ment fundamentals provide the tools and ...),Health

-- Patient safety improvement activities introduce changes to areas including hand hygiene, medication lists, allergy lists, critical test results, correct person/site/procedure, safer prescription writing and discharge communication

"We are pleased that BCBSIL has embraced this program as a resource for network physicians to foster a culture that promotes safety and achieves real results," explained ABMS President and CEO, Kevin B. Weiss, MD. "Physicians choosing to participate in this program demonstrate to the public, patients and colleagues that they have taken an important step to make the care they deliver safer."

"BCBSIL is to be commended for its efforts in trying to minimize harm to its members through its support and recognition of ABMS' innovative program," said Allan Korn, MD, chief medical officer and senior vice president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans (BCBSA). "The ABMS Patient Safety Improvement Program is unique in that it places the focus on physicians and other healthcare professionals providing care in physician practice and outpatient settings, rather than solely in the hospital." In a system-wide effort, BCBSA is working towards recognizing physicians who complete the program as part of its national provider data transparency initiative.

The ABMS Patient Safety Improvement Program was planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and is offered through the joint sponsorship of HealthStream and ABMS. HealthStream is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The program supports initiatives including The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement 5 Million Lives Campaign and t
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