National Quality Forum 30 safe practices: priority and progress in Iowa hospitals.
This study assessed a representative group of hospitals to evaluate their perception and priority of each of the National Quality Forum's (NQF) 30 "safe practices." Investigators analyzed responses from 100 hospitals and determined higher ratings for priority than for progress of the practices overall. They noted the largest discrepancy between priority and progress in creating a safety culture with the highest progress rating for increasing safe medication use. Based on evaluating individual hospital characteristics, the authors also identified 20 safe practices not associated with measures of hospital structure, capacity, or resources. These particular findings may guide other organizations trying to develop strategic safety plans with respect to NQF safety recommendations.