In the September issue of the Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology Director Sophia Chung, M.D., and Emeritus Director Philip Custer, M.D., F.A.C.S., urge neuro-ophthalmologists to become “leaders in the culture of patient safety.” Drs. Chung and Custer trace the history of patient safety in the subspecialty and provide recommendations on how neuro-ophthalmologists can bridge the divide between neurology and ophthalmology to enhance safety for patients in both specialties.
“We provide care for patients often with life- and vision-threatening diseases. Patients seek our expertise for accurate diagnosis, appropriate and cost-effective evaluation, and the most successful state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments. At every juncture, we are subject to potential medical errors despite our commitment to serve the patient. It is imperative that we order the correct tests, evaluate the results in an accurate and timely fashion, and appropriately communicate those results to the patient and care team.”
The editorial by Drs. Chung and Custer also addresses efforts by the ABO, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) to promote patient safety education and culture.
Click here to read the full editorial (free): http://journals.lww.com/jneuro-ophthalmology/Citation/2017/09000/Patient_Safety___Its_History_and_Relevance_to.2.aspx