Joint Commission issues new alert on safety culture

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission on March 1 issued a new Sentinel Event Alert on “The essential role of leadership in developing a safety culture.”

Leadership’s failure to create an effective safety culture is contributing to adverse events such as wrong-site surgery and delays in treatment, the Joint Commission says.

The alert outlines 11 tenets for healthcare leaders to address safety culture. It also provides actions and resources to help healthcare organizations establish and continuously improve key components of safety culture. 

Sentinel Event Alert #56: In any health care organization, leadership's first priority is to be accountable for effective care while protecting the safety of patients, employees, and visitors. Competent and thoughtful leaders contribute to improvements in safety and organizational culture.