Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction

Introduction

In November 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a safety report, "To Err is Human", which estimates that 2.9-3.7% of US hospitalizations result in adverse events, and 44,000-98,000 hospitalized patients die annually due to medical errors. An outcome of the study was the enactment of legislation by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts providing for the establishment of the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction. The center is named for Betsy Lehman, a Boston Globe newspaper reporter who died in 1994 as the result of a chemotherapy overdose. The Center, launched in January 2004, is directed by Nancy Ridley M.S. The Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors, which was established in 1996, serves as the advisory committee for The Betsy Lehman Center.

Mission

The Betsy Lehman Center serves as a clearinghouse for the development, evaluation, and dissemination, including, but not limited to the sponsorship of training and education programs, of best practices for patient safety and medical error reduction.

Patient Safety Topics

• Long-Term Care Medication Error Reduction
• Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Expert Panel
• Medication List Developed through Partnership with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Consumer Information
• Weight Loss Surgery
• Online Resources

Patient Safety Awards

• 2008 Patient Safety Award

Conferences

• 5th Annual Conference (2008)): Cancelled
  Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2008 Patient Safety Award.
• 4th Annual Conference (2007)
  • 2007 Patient Safety Awards
• 3rd Annual Conference (2006)
• 2nd Annual Betsy Lehman Center Patient Safety Symposium (2005)

Contact Us

Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 624-5723