Over a two-year period, ECRI Institute PSO received reports of more than 1,300 events involving lapses in policies, procedures, or their execution. In the same time frame, 99 root-cause analyses (RCAs) were reviewed by ECRI Institute PSO; each RCA includes a section on the policies and procedures surrounding the event. ECRI Institute PSO identified the [...]

Policies and procedures (login required) help to ensure that care delivered to patients is consistent and evidence-based. They also help reduce practice variation, provide guidance for staff, improve adherence to recognized best practices, and help ensure compliance. However, even though policies and procedures aim to accomplish the same goals, their focuses differ. Policies are high-level; they [...]