National studies are demonstrating that quality of care and patient safety can be improved, medical errors diminished, and health care costs reduced with broader implementation of best practices and the use of new technologies.  With that it mind, several health-related organizations have organized to address quality improvement and patient safety issues in South Dakota.  These organizations include:

• South Dakota Department of Health
• South Dakota State Medical Association
• South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations
• South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care
• South Dakota Nurses Association
• South Dakota Pharmacists Association

The purpose of the South Dakota Alliance For Patient Safety is to address several aspects of quality improvement and patient safety including provider education, reporting, and technological improvements, including electronic medical records and automated prescription drug ordering.

To address these aspects of quality improvement and patient safety, the organizations have formed an Executive Committee to provide overall direction.  Additionally, there are three subcommittees—provider education, reporting, and technological development and coordination—to help shape as well as carry out the direction given by the Executive Committee.  The three subcommittees include representatives from each organization listed above. 

General Information

• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (S.544)
• Summary of S.544

Alliance Information

• No information available at this time.

Links

• Institute for Health Care Improvement
• National Patient Safety Foundation