Abstract
Objective and method
Safer care is a strategic priority for healthcare organisations. Yet, the detail of how to improve patient safety is complex. To this end the Royal College of Ophthalmologists has provided guidance to improve ophthalmic patient safety, and is presented in this paper. Which patient safety incidents to report and analyze in ophthalmic practice are outlined and how to do so is also discussed. The focus and setting of this review is on the current organisation of healthcare in United Kingdom and primarily—but not exclusively—within the National Health Service (NHS) provision, as relevant to ophthalmology.
Conclusions
Efforts for improvement in ophthalmic patient safety and quality of care are vital and require professional leadership and engagement. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ role and position in this regard is outlined.
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Acknowledgements
This paper is contained within Ophthalmic Services Guidance produced by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. It is also available on the College website. Contributions from Mr Timothy Rimmer FRCOphth and Mr Richard Smith FRCOphth and from colleagues at the MHRA, NPSA and (former) Healthcare Commission and from Mr Jeff McIlwain FRCS to this document are most gratefully acknowledged. The document was approved by the Professional Standards Committee, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in July 2008.
Declaration: The author is Chairman of the Quality and Safety Sub-Committee at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and previously held a part-time secondment as a clinical specialty advisor at the National Patient Safety Agency.
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Kelly, S. Guidance on patient safety in ophthalmology from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Eye 23, 2143–2151 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2009.168
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2009.168
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