Welcome to the Maryland Patient Safety Center

Recognized as a national leader in patient safety, the Maryland Patient Safety Center engages patients and providers in improving care and communication; operates a voluntary reporting system of patient safety events and “near misses” that do not result in harm; and offers education and training on patient safety issues.

MPSC is recognized as a national leader in patient safety. MPSC engages patients and providers in improving care and communication; voluntary reporting of patient safety events and “near misses” that do not result in harm; as well as education and training on patient safety issues.

MPSC’s focus areas include:

• Measurement
• Engaging Patients & Families
• Spreading Excellence
• Developing Safety Culture
• Value
• Improving the Continuity of Care

The Center offers activities in the following key areas:

• Collaborative & Learning Network programs, including MRSA, Perinatal, Neonatal, and Emergency Department initiatives
• Educational programs
• Adverse Event Reporting
• Research
• Special Projects

Key achievements of the Maryland Patient Safety Center include:

• Receiving 2005 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for national/regional innovation in patient safety.
• Engaging over 9,000 providers in educational programs, 85% of hospitals in collaborative programs, and 55% of hospitals in the Adverse Event Reporting System.
• Improving outcomes and processes, including reductions in ventilator associated pneumonia and catheter-related blood stream infections during the Intensive Care Unit Collaborative, resulting in an estimated 140 lives saved and $40,775,070 in avoided costs; improved Emergency Department (ED) flow and timing processes reported during the ED Collaborative; and other improvements related to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), perinatal care, and handoffs and transitions.
• Creating an Adverse Event Reporting System that explores patterns and trends related to patient safety events and near misses that occur in healthcare facilities.

The 2008 Annual Report [pdf] offers more details about the progress of the Center during the past five years.