Incoming Nursing Excellence

Ensuring the Safety of Neonates

1. Carrie Steele^*

Article first published online: 1 FEB 2013

DOI: 10.1111/1552-6909.12018

© 2013 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

Issue

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing

Volume 42, Issue 2, pages 225–226, March/April 2013

In To Err is Human, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated that approximately 98,000 Americans die each year because of medical errors (IOM, 1999). These alarming statistics changed the landscape for those working in the healthcare field and initiated a discussion on the need for improved patient safety. The IOM's follow-up report, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21^st Century, was equally significant (IOM, 2001). This report was a call to action to make the health care system safer, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable for all Americans. As a result, thousands of continuous quality improvement projects have been initiated in hospitals across the United States in an effort to improve patient safety and quality of care. For those working with neonates, these efforts begin with the very first breath. This In Focus Series includes four articles that address neonatal safety and quality of care from birth to admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 

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LINK TO onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full