The National Quality Forum (NQF) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations today announced the first recipients of the annual John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety Awards. For the 2002 year, winners were selected in each of the Award categories. 

For complete information about any of the award-winning initiatives, see the Journal on Quality Improvement, December 2002. (Requires Adobe Reader)

The winners in the several categories are:

Individual Lifetime Achievement

Individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and scholarship in patient safety over their careers.

Julianne Morath, R.N., M.S., Children's Hospitals and Clinics, Minneapolis, Minnesota
For her tireless and successful work at Children's Hospitals to introduce a culture of patient safety that promotes the sharing of information about errors to improve safety in the care of patients.

System Innovation

Projects or initiatives involving successful system changes or interventions that make the environment of care safer.  These efforts may involve technology, protocols/procedures, education, or organization culture, among others.

Concord Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire
For developing and implementing a structured communications protocol, adapted from human factors science, which broke down hierarchical role boundaries and improved the care of cardiac surgery patients.

Veterans Health Administration National Center for Patient Safety, Ann Arbor, Michigan
For innovation and leadership in developing and implementing a systems approach to error reduction within the VHA's 163 health care facilities.

Advocacy

Projects or initiatives involving safety-related interventions on behalf of patients.  These efforts may be in areas such as legislation, media reporting, or patient advocacy, among others.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky
For its national leadership in openly, and voluntarily, disclosing health care errors to harmed individuals and/or their families.

Research

Projects that involve the scholarly exploration of patient safety-related issues.  These efforts may involve systems theory, technology, or data analyses among others.

David W. Bates, M.D., M.Sc., Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
For his cutting-edge research in using information technology to measure and improve patient safety, particularly in the area of medication safety.

The initial awards will be presented at the National Quality Forum's Third Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on October 1, 2002.

"We applaud each of the winners for their sustained achievements in improving patient safety," said Dennis S. O'Leary, M.D., president, Joint Commission.  "John Eisenberg would have been proud to be associated with their accomplishments."

"We are very pleased to recognize these outstanding leaders for the work they have done to improve patient safety," said Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.Ph., president and chief executive officer, NQF. "These individuals and organizations exemplify John's passion for making health care better—both safer and of higher quality.  Their work provides an enduring legacy to him."

Awards may be given in each category in any year.  However, an award need not be given in each category every year.  Eighty-eight nominations were received for the 2002 inaugural awards.