Quality and Patient Safety

Quality and patient safety go hand in hand, and at MedStar, our vision to be the trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health, will only be achieved by our unwavering commitment to both. You can count on that commitment when you choose any of the MedStar hospitals. Your safety is our number one focus, and we know that focus will also result in the highest quality of care throughout our community.

Today, even more exciting initiatives related to quality and patient safety are happening here at MedStar — all focused on You — working to make your experience of care the safest, and highest quality possible. To accomplish our vision, we invite you to partner with us as we embark upon a journey that provides safe, high quality care to every patient, every time. As we remain committed to our patient-first philosophy combining care, compassion and clinical excellence, our success will be a result of our patient partnerships.

Our commitment to you, as your partner, includes delivering the following:

Zero preventable harm: Patient Safety is our number one focus.
Highest Quality of Care: We will achieve the highest possible scores on all quality care measures.
Transparency: We will share our successes, as well as the areas we are working to improve.

As we move further along the journey, we will continue to update you on our progress and share new ways for you to partner with us as well.

Watch our Quality & Safety Videos

Terry Fairbanks, director of National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare, discusses why it matters to integrate human factors engineering and system safety engineering into healthcare. Learn more at https://www.medicalhumanfactors.net.

Human Factors and Systems Safety Engineering in Healthcare

High-reliability tools are designed to help keep our patients safe. This video provides a quick refresher on the Speak Up for Safety portion of our HRO toolkit. Learn more by contacting the MedStar Safety Team.

HRO Toolkit Refresher: Speak Up for Safety

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Encryption. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

60 Seconds for Safety: Encryption

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Encryption. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Phishing. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

60 Seconds for Safety: Phishing

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Phishing. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Passwords. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

60 Seconds for Safety: Passwords

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Passwords. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Social Media. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

60 Seconds for Safety: Social Media

In this 60 Seconds for Safety Series of videos, we focus on elements of Social Media. Learn how to stay safe from IT threats!

Learn about CANDOR, a way to zero preventable harm while maintaining trust and support of patients, families and care teams. CANDOR is an AHRQ Tool Kit and program that teaches the “how to” and value of open, honest Communication and Optimal Resolution in the face of patient harm.

CANDOR: A Way to Zero Preventable Harm

Learn about how MedStar Health, the Institute for Quality & Safety and the CANDOR Program is working to reduce preventable medical harm and maintain trust in our healthcare system. Watch as a panel of patients and families, defense/plaintiffs attorneys and healthcare administrators talk about the value of CANDOR, a program that teaches the “how t

MedStar’s Third Annual Allen Gwendolyn Crouse Patient Safety Lecture: The Power of CANDOR

Cheryl & Paul Douglass share their family’s experience, and the hard earned knowledge gained during Cheryl’s battle with sepsis. Learn more about Quality and Patient Safety at MedStar Health: http://www.medstarhealth.org/mhs/about-medstar/quality-and-patient-safety/#q={}

MedStar Health Sepsis Awareness: Through the Eyes of A Survivor

Listen to Jack Gentry’s story of how his determination, a dedicated physician and MedStar Health, committed to open, honest communication, worked together to make the best of a tragic situation.Learn more at: http://www.medstarhealth.org/quality-and-safety/communication/candor-program

The Jack Gentry Story

MedStar associates from Quality and Safety, Risk Management, MedStar Institute for Innovation speak about how the staff and teams at MedStar Health embrace transparency with patients and their families so we can create an environment where they feel empowered to speak up. The goal is to investigate patient safety and move patient safety forward. Le

Provider and Patient Assertiveness MedStar Health

MedStar has adopted a culture of high reliability to provide the best possible care for our patients. Learn about our new Patient Communication Consult Service—a service that will invite our patients to participate in the care they are receiving in real time. What is a Patient Communication Consult Service? Find out here!

MedStar Health HRO Phase II: Patient Communication Consult Service

As MedStar moves into Phase II of our high reliability journey we are forming Go Teams—teams that are trained to manage care that does not go as planned. Teams that protect our patients and our caregivers from harm. Learn more about how to build a team with skills to manage care that does not go as planned!

MedStar Health HRO Phase II: Go Teams!

As MedStar moves into Phase II of our high reliability journey, reviewing care that does not go as planned is equally as important as review of care that does. Skillful Event Reviews are an important part of any HRO. Learn how to do an event review that gets results while taking into account everyone involved may also be hurting.

MedStar Health HRO Phase II: Event Review Done Right

As MedStar moves into Phase II of our high reliability journey, caring for our caregivers when care does not go as planned is key to building a just culture and keeping patients safe. Reach out to a care giving colleague today and ask them how they are doing!

MedStar Health HRO Phase II: Care for the Caregiver

David Mayer, MD, Vice President of Quality and Safety, discusses patient engagement at MedStar Health. To learn more about quality and patient safety, and about the patient advisory council at MedStar Health, visit http://ow.ly/UfsJB.

Patient Engagement MedStar Institute for Quality and Safety

Joy and meaning in the healthcare workplace is important for patient, as well as caregiver, safety. In the short vignette that follows, the MWHC NICU team shares how their joy in the workplace translates into 1,000 CLABSIs free days for their little patients. Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/Mm0k6

MedStar Health on Joy Meaning in the Workplace: MWHC NICU Shares Their Success Story

David Mayer MD, Vice President, Quality & Patient Safety at MedStar Health talks about Go Teams, an integral part of the continued HRO journey to keep caregivers and patients safe! Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/Mm0k6

60 Seconds for Safety: Go Teams at MedStar Health

Eileen Moore MD, Patient Safety Officer at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital shares the value of developing Care for the Caregiver Programs, an integral part of the continued HRO journey at MedStar Health. Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/Mm0k6

60 Seconds for Safety: Care for the Caregiver Programs at MedStar Health

Rosemary Gibson, Member of MedStar’s Patient & Family Advisory Council for Quality & Safety at MedStar Health introduces the concept of Patient Communication Consult Services being rolled out across the health system. Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/Mm0k6

60 Seconds for Safety: Patient Communication Consult Service at MedStar Health

Barb Mitchell, Director of High Reliability & Safety at MedStar Health introduces the concept of Safety Coaches and invites associates to take a leadership role in the HRO Journey. Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/Mm0k6

60 Seconds for Safety: Safety Coaches at MedStar Health

The Patient Experience is of utmost important across healthcare, and sometimes looking to other industries can provide a new view to an old challenge. Richard Corder, AVP, Business Development at CRICO Strategies provides a new lens from which to view the way we serve our patients. Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly

Viewing the Patient Experience Through A New Lens: Richard Corder from CRICO Strategies

We've been implementing Patient & Family Advisory Councils for Quality & Safety (PFACQS) across our ten hospitals and outpatient practices for more than two years. Our system-level PFACQS, comprised of national patient and healthcare advocates, has guided the process. Watch this video to hear from our experts. Learn more about PFACQS: http://ow

A MedStar Health Advisory Council Testimonial – Armando Nahum

MedStar Health has been implementing Patient & Family Advisory Councils (PFACQS) for Quality and Safety across their ten-hospital system that also includes ambulatory clinics for well over two years. MedStar’s System-level PFACQS comprised of national patient and healthcare advocates has guided the process. Listen in as the experts on PFACQS shar

The Value of PFACQS: A MedStar Health Advisory Council Testimonial Knitasha Washington

MedStar Health has been implementing Patient & Family Advisory Councils for Quality & Safety (PFACQS) across their ten-hospital system that also includes ambulatory clinics for well over two years. MedStar’s System-level PFACQS comprised of national patient and healthcare advocates has guided the process. Listen in as the experts on PFACQS share

The Value of PFACQS: A MedStar Health Advisory Council Testimonial Helen Haskell

The Value of PFACQS: A MedStar Health Advisory Council Testimonial Marty Hatlie #1

The Value of PFACQS: A MedStar Health Advisory Council Testimonial Marty Hatlie #2

MedStar HeROs talk about the value of a safety culture to inspire good catches, great care and inspire colleagues.Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/Mm0k6 Take away for caregivers; Share your stories from the front lines of care. Be A HeRO and help make care safer for patients and colleagues!

MedStar Health HeRO Good Catch Luncheon 2015

Richard Corder, healthcare change agent, talks about the value of healthcare leaders welcoming patients at the front door of the hospital or office, as well as taking best practices from other industries and applying to healthcare! Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's quality and patient safety standards.Take away: Le

60 Seconds for Safety: Greeting Patients at the Front Door

As MedStar continues on its journey toward high reliability, patient partnerships are key to success. Watch a theatrical look at what could be an ideal two-way patient-healthcare professional conversation. Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/MoOJi

Please See Me

As MedStar continues on its journey toward high reliability, nurse leaders weigh in on what makes them choose to be HRO leaders. Learn more about quality and safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/KcBXR

MedStar HRO Nursing Champions: Why Choose to Be an HRO

As MedStar continues on its journey toward high reliability, nurse leaders share what they believe are keys to the high reliability journey. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's quality and patient safety standards.

MedStar HRO Nursing Champions: Keys to Becoming A High Reliability Organization

Lauren Lobaugh MD, a MedStar resident physician leader shares how making opportunity for education on patient safety improves the delivery of care for patients and providers.Patient safety tip: Share your stories from the frontlines of care. Help make care safer for patients!Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's qualit

MedStar Health Resident Physician Talks Patient Safety Leadership

Roger Leonard, retired cardiologist and Quality & Safety Champion at MedStar Health talks about why forming a Patient & Family Advisory Council for Quality and Safety (PFACQS) at MedStar is key to engaging patients and making care safer. Learn more about our Patient & Family Advisory Council: http://ow.ly/MlK1M Safety tip: Learn the value of formin

60 Seconds for Safety: Why We Have a Patient Family Advisory Council for Quality Safety

Stacey Gonzalez, Project Manager at MedStar Health outlines strategy for starting a Patient & Family Advisory Council for Quality and Safety (PFACQS) to better engage patients, the community and make healthcare safer. Learn more about our Patient & Family Advisory Council: http://ow.ly/MlK1M Take away: Learn how to start a Patient & Family Advisory

60 Seconds for Safety: How to Start A Patient Family Advisory Council for Quality Safety

Helen Haskell, Patient Advocate and Member of MedStar Health’s Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality & Safety talks about the value of patient and family activated rapid response teams. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's quality and patient safety standards.Tip for associates: Learn about how patients and

60 Seconds for Safety: Patient Family Activated Rapid Response Teams

OR nurse, Lisa Burke from MedStar Health talks about the risk of fire in the OR, and how to remain prepared and aware in order to keep patients and colleagues safe from harm. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's quality and patient safety standards.Safety tip for associates: learn how to be prepared and aware when it c

60 Seconds for Safety: Prevent Fires in the OR

The We Want To Know program is an intensive, multimodal campaign designed to encourage patients to speak up, and strategies for providing real-time responses to patients’ concerns. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's quality and patient safety standards.

Message for Providers about Patient Safety We Want to Know

Message for Patient and Families about Patient Safety We Want to Know

Patty Skolnik, patient advocate and member of MedStar’s Patient & Family Advisory Council for Quality and Safety talks about the need for greater shared decision-making in healthcare in this episode of 60 Seconds for Safety. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's quality and patient safety standards.Tip for patients; B

60 Seconds for Safety: Shared Decision Making

National leaders in patient advocacy, also members of the MedStar Health Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality and Safety (PFACQS), provide tips on what it takes to start a PFAC that focuses on Quality and Safety. Learn more: http://ow.ly/MlK1M

Tips on Starting a Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality Safety

Employing tools like STAR, or Stop, Think, Act, Review, helps associates in High Reliability Organizations focus on the task at hand. This ensures patient and healthcare professional safety. Using tools like STAR helps keep patients safe. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about MedStar Health's quality and patient safety standards.

60 Seconds for Safety: HRO Tools—Focus on Task

National leaders in patient advocacy, also members of the MedStar Health Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality and Safety (PFACQS), explain the benefits of hosting PFACQS that focus on Quality and Safety.Learn more about patient and family advisory councils for Quality and Safety at MedStar Health: http://ow.ly/MlK1M

Patient and Family Advisory Councils for Quality and Safety at MedStar Health

Healthcare organizations seeking high reliability (HRO) rely on standard tools and practices to ensure consistent results under high stakes conditions. Effective communication is a foundational practice for all HRO behaviors and practice! Learn more about how to effectively communicate across your healthcare teams.Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn

60 Seconds for Safety: HRO Tools—Effective Communication

Healthcare organizations seeking high reliability (HRO) rely on standard tools and practices to ensure consistent results under high stakes conditions. Knowing how to effective ask for what is needed to keep patients safe is key in HROs! HROs know how to ask for what is needed to ensure patient and healthcare professional safety.Visit http://ow.ly

60 Seconds for Safety: HRO Tools—Ask

Research shows that engaged patients are safer and have better outcomes than unengaged patients. Hear from MedStar Patient and Family Advisory Council member and healthcare advocate, Marty Hatlie, on what engaged patients need from health care providers.Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about our quality and patient safety standards.

60 Seconds for Safety: Patient Engagement

High reliability organizations rely on tools to keep operations running smoothly. Barb Mitchell, director of high reliability at MedStar Health, provides an overview of the SAFE HRO Tool Box. Stay tuned for more info!Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about our quality and patient safety standards.

60 Seconds for Safety: An Introduction to HRO Tools

What is a good catch? Every good catch you share allows us to improve the way we care for our patients. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about our quality and patient safety standards.

60 Seconds for Safety: Good Catch

What is a good catch? Every good catch you share allows us to improve the way we care for our patients. Visit http://ow.ly/M1SnL to learn more about our quality and patient safety standards.

Daliha Aqbal, an M1 at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, shares how she was empowered to speak up on behalf of patient safety. She was inspired by MedStar mentors, David Mayer, MD, Seth Krevat, MD, and Kelly Smith, PhD, through field work and Telluride Patient Safety Summer Camp experiences.Everyone on the healthcare team, or involved i

Medical Student Empowered to Speak Up by MedStar Quality Safety Mentors

Improve your experience

Share this page:

Quality and Patient Safety

Watch our Quality & Safety Videos

Watch our 60 Seconds for Safety Videos