Preventable Health Care Harm Is a Public Health Crisis

Preventable Health Care Harm Is a Public Health Crisis Preventable harm in health care is a public health crisis, with estimates placing it as a leading cause of death in United States. The National Patient Safety Foundation calls on health care leaders and policymakers to initiate a coordinated public health response to improve patient safety and drive the collective work needed to ensure that patients and those who care for them are free from preventable harm. Such an approach has already contributed to significant reductions in health care-associated infections. NPSF believes that a public health response-one that draws on the experience and expertise...