Practice/regulation partnerships: The pathway to increased safety in nursing practice, health care systems, and patient care

In its quest to create and sustain cultures of safety, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) called on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to develop and design standardized processes to better distinguish human error from willful negligence and intentional misconduct.1 Though this charge is worthy and is being implemented, boards of nursing also are benefiting from the evidence that is coming forth about human errors and Just Culture.2, 3 and 4 Just Culture is a method to promote cultures of safety by regulators, employers, and employees working together to create an open environment where health care risks can be openly discussed. Just Culture seeks to evaluate normal error, at-risk behavior, and reckless behavior to provide appropriate resolution of adverse events.