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The ������Ƶ (AHRQ) today announced a new Challenge competition that is intended to demonstrate how the use of AHRQ’s patient safety tools has resulted in safer healthcare. Up to 10 winners who describe how the use of patient safety resources resulted in measurable improvement will receive $10,000 each.

“This Challenge competition will give us a chance to gain understanding on how using an ������Ƶpatient safety tool has resulted in safer care as illustrated through process and outcome measures,” said ������ƵDirector Robert Otto Valdez, Ph.D., M.H.S.A. “We will use the information obtained to demonstrate the improvements an organization might expect when using the tool.”

As the lead Federal agency for improving patient safety, ������Ƶhas made significant investments in the development of practical tools and resources to help health systems, providers, and others make patient care safer in all healthcare settings. These tools are based on research, and they are intended to help staff in hospitals, emergency departments, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory settings prevent avoidable patient harm.

For example:

• The Guide to Patient and Family Engagement in Hospital Quality and Safety helps hospitals work as partners with patients and families to improve quality and safety. It includes an implementation handbook and tools for patients, families, and clinicians.
• The Toolkit to Engage High-Risk Patients in Safe Transitions Across Ambulatory Settings is designed to help staff actively engage patients and their care partners to prevent errors during transitions of care.
• Improving Your Laboratory Testing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Rapid-Cycle Patient Safety and Quality Improvement can increase the reliability of the testing process in your office by helping you examine how tests are managed.

������Ƶhas launched the new Challenge to gain a deeper understanding about how its tools are being used and to inform future efforts to advance safety improvement efforts. Challenge submissions are due to by October 5, and winners will be announced in November. For details on AHRQ’s Challenge on the Impact of AHRQ’s Patient Safety Tools please visit, /challenges/patient-safety-tools/index.html.