Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s efforts to provide safe, reliable patient care while reducing preventable medical harm are being recognized by the Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF), a global non-profit organization committed to achieving zero preventable patient harm and death.

PSMF launched a new program to recognize health care organizations committed to helping achieve zero preventable patient harm and death across the globe by 2030. Kaiser Permanente Northern California is among the first to be named a Highly Reliable Organization (HRO) Champion, for prioritizing patient safety.

The new HRO Champions program puts an emphasis on data transparency, a critical component to achieving zero harm and improving patient safety. Hospitals and health care organizations submit patient safety data annually to be more transparent, and to provide patients with the information they need to make informed health care decisions.

“We are honored to be recognized for our unwavering commitment to provide safe patient care and commend our staff for being strong advocates for safety,” said Robin Betts, vice-president of safety, quality and regulatory services for Kaiser Permanente Northern California. “Our hospitals are among the country’s highest performing for minimizing patient injuries, medication errors, and infections. Every day, we aim to protect the health of our patients, keep them safe from harm, and provide the highest quality care.”

Every year, medical errors claim the lives of nearly three million individuals across the globe. PSMF believes it’s important to recognize those health care organizations that are committed to reducing preventable medical harm and prioritizing patient safety.

“Our clinical care teams put patient safety at the forefront of everything they do, and we are proud of their commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care,” said Stephen Parodi, MD, associate executive director of hospital quality and patient safety at The Permanente Medical Group. “The COVD-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for every health care system, but Kaiser Permanente Northern California is consistently recognized as among the nation’s best for outstanding patient safety, outcomes, and overall experience.”

Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente currently serves almost 12.5 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For additional information, visit http://about.kaiserpermanente.org