Implementing High Reliability for Patient Safety

When data in the National Healthcare Safety Network database showed higher rates of infections in Connecticut than in other states, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) launched the first-of-its-kind statewide initiative in 2010 to improve patient safety by eliminating all-cause preventable patient harm using high-reliability science. In 2015, after 2 years of planning and 3 years of training, hospitals and other health care organizations across the state adopted high reliability as part of their safety culture and as a result have decreased the incidence of preventable harm. This article reviews the current state of patient safety, explains high reliability, and discusses key factors CHA used to assess readiness and prepare health care organizations for implementation.