AHRQ Summit and Roundtable on Research Priorities for Patient Safety Improvement

In late 2020, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) hosted two virtual meetings focused on patient safety research. During the AHRQ Summit and Roundtable on Research Priorities for Patient Safety Improvement, the agency convened key stakeholders, industry leaders, and subject matter experts to discuss patient safety research needs in a variety of healthcare settings. Participants considered prevailing patient safety challenges in the field and key questions that research could answer. The groups were asked to take into account the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic and a substantial increase in the use of telehealth as they considered both persistent and emerging patient safety problems and research that is needed to address them. In addition to a total system perspective that encompasses the full continuum of care and transitions across health care settings, discussions also focused on individual settings, including ambulatory care, acute care hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare. Preparations and discussions during the meetings generated several important challenges and questions for patient safety research to address.

In preparation for the meetings, participants were asked to review selected publications that represent the current context for patient safety research and improvement. Collectively, these documents were intended to inform discussion with background information including: the state of the science and gaps in scientific evidence that remain for specific patient safety practices (Making Healthcare Safer III), and a description of the foundational needs of the healthcare system and recommendations for strengthening those needs in order to enable and support patient safety improvement (Safer Together: A National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety). The full list of background information for the meetings is included as an appendix to this document.

Summary of Patient Safety Research Opportunities

Learn more about research questions, topics, and key themes that were addressed as part of the Patient Safety Roundtable and Patient Safety Summit.

Appendix: Background Information

Review the list of information that was highlighted for attendees prior to the AHRQ Summit and Roundtable on Research Priorities for Patient Safety Improvement.