2009 Safe Practices Released by National Quality Forum

The National Quality Forum has released the 2009 Safe Practices for Better Healthcare.  These 34 evidence-based practices build on six years of development, and represent practices that should be implemented in every hospital.

The 2009 report adds new practices in areas such as pediatric imaging, glycemic control, organ donation, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and multi-drug resistant organisms. The report updates other previously endorsed practices based on new evidence, including the pharmacist’s role in medication management and pressure ulcers, and an entire chapter on healthcare-associated infections.  Some of the Safe Practices remain the same, such as hand hygiene and management of patients in ICUs by doctors with special training in critical care.

The Texas Medical Institute of Technology funded the project.  The National Quality Forum will be holding webinars throughout the year to review implementation strategies for the Practices.