According to Health Care Risk Management standards supported by ASHRM and the American Hospital Association Certification Center, patient and family engagement is a critical element of patient safety programs. Including lay persons on select committees, such as patient safety or quality committees, allows patients and families to contribute perspectives that enhance transparency and system improvement.
Structured patient education opportunities empower individuals to understand their care, ask questions, and actively participate in safety practices, such as medication verification and infection prevention.
Event reporting by patients and families is another proactive strategy that promotes open communication and early identification of safety concerns. Encouraging patients to report perceived errors or near misses supports a culture of safety and partnership.
Referring patient events for peer review is an internal professional evaluation process focused on provider performance and quality improvement. While important for clinical oversight, it is not a technique designed to directly include patients and families in educational safety programs.
Clinical and patient safety objectives emphasize collaboration, transparency, and patient-centered care.
Therefore, inclusion of lay persons on committees, patient education initiatives, and patient or family event reporting are appropriate techniques for involving patients in safety programs.