National Steering Committee for Patient Safety

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National Steering Committee for Patient Safety

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) convened the National Steering Committee for Patient Safety (NSC) as a collaboration among 27 national organizations in the US committed to advancing patient safety. IHI charged the NSC with the creation of the first US national action plan for patient safety.

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IHI Safety Initiatives

A Total Systems Approach to Safety

National Steering Committee Members

Resources

Safer Together: A National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety

The National Action Plan and supplemental resources — Self-Assessment Tool, Self-Assessment Tool Resource Guide, and Implementation Resource Guide — help health care leaders, delivery organizations, and associations make significant advances toward safer care and reduced harm across the continuum of care.

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Declaration to Advance Patient Safety

In May 2022, the NSC issued the Declaration to Advance Patient Safety to urge health care leaders across the care continuum to recommit to advancing patient and workforce safety with a total systems approach, as presented in the National Action Plan.

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IHI Safer Together Recognition Program

Celebrate your organization's commitment to advancing quality and safety. The IHI Safer Together Recognition Program acknowledges the achievements of hospitals that have made significant strides to improve patient and workforce safety by implementing proactive changes in systems and processes.

Learn More
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IHI Safer Together Recognition Program

Patient Safety Awareness Week

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Patient Safety Awareness Week

Patient Safety Awareness Week occurs annually in March.


Patient Safety Awareness Week, an annual recognition event that occurs in March, is intended to encourage everyone to learn more about health care safety.

During this week, IHI seeks to advance important discussions locally and globally, and inspire action to improve the safety of the health care system — for patients and the workforce.

Patient Safety Awareness Week serves as a dedicated time and platform for growing awareness about patient safety and recognizing the work already being done.

Why a Focus on Safety?

Although there has been real progress made in patient safety over the past two decades, current estimates cite medical harm as a leading cause of death worldwide.

The World Health Organization estimates that 134 million adverse events occur each year due to unsafe care in hospitals in low- and middle-income countries, resulting in some 2.6 million deaths. Additionally, some 40 percent of patients experience harm in ambulatory and primary care settings with an estimated 80 percent of these harms being preventable, according to WHO.

Some studies suggest that as many as 250,000 to 400,000 deaths occur in the United States each year as a result of errors or preventable harm. Not every case of harm results in death, yet they can cause long-term impact on the patient's physical health, emotional health, financial well-being, or family relationships.

Preventing harm in health care settings is a public health concern. Everyone interacts with the health care system at some point in life. And everyone has a role to play in advancing safe health care.

IHI works with partners around the world to improve the safety of health care for patients, caregivers, and the health care workforce.

Learn more about IHI's work to advance patient and workforce safety.​

Ideas for Recognizing Patient Safety Awareness Week

Resources

IHI Lucian Leape Institute

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IHI Lucian Leape Institute

Providing a Strategic Vision for Improving Patient Safety

The IHI Lucian Leape Institute (LLI) was formed in 2007 by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF, which merged with IHI in 2017) to provide a strategic vision for improving patient safety. Composed of international thought leaders with a common interest in patient safety, the LLI functions as a think tank to identify new approaches to improving patient safety; call for the innovation necessary to expedite the work; create significant, sustainable improvements in culture, process, and outcomes; and encourage key stakeholders to assume significant roles in advancing patient safety.

The LLI is named for Lucian Leape, MD, who served as the founding chairman and remains an active member. Dr. Leape was a member of the Institute of Medicine’s Quality of Health Care in America Committee, which published the seminal works in the patient safety movement, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System (2000) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001).

Our Work

The Lucian Leape Institute (LLI) strives for a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm. The Lucian Leape Institute partners with key health care, non-health care, and community stakeholders to develop innovative ideas and bold recommendations for widespread improvement. The LLI's work is freely available and openly accessible to promote transparency, equity, and dynamic change.

As a think tank, the Lucian Leape Institute identifies new approaches to improving patient safety, calls for the innovation required to expedite the work, creates significant, sustainable improvements in culture, process, and outcomes, and encourages key stakeholders to assume roles in advancing patient safety.

Patient and workforce safety are at the core of IHI and the Lucian Leape Institute's efforts. The Lucian Leape Institute focuses on the following as fundamental aspects of this work:

  • Collaboration and partnership with patients, families, health care colleagues, and experts in all industries.
  • Innovative ideas and bold recommendations that push boundaries and inspire widespread improvement in the field of patient safety.
  • Free and open access to all work and publications in an effort to promote transparency, equity, and dynamic change.
  • Commitment of service to patients, families, and those who devote their lives to providing care.
  • Proactive system thinking and continuous improvement to develop health care into a highly reliable industry.
  • Leadership and organizational culture as key drivers of patient and workforce safety.
  • Uniting expertise in safety, quality, and beyond to develop timely and sustainable solutions to patient and workforce safety obstacles.
  • The importance of education of all stakeholders in safety science, culture, and leadership principles.
  • Content and recommendations that can be used to create tactical and actionable next steps for health care organizations. 

Reports and Related Publications

Members of the IHI Lucian Leape Institute

Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) TM

Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)™

Validate your proficiency, confirm your expertise, assert your clinical competence, and show your commitment to promoting the highest standards of excellence in patient safety with the globally recognized Certified Professional in Patient Safety™ (CPPS) credential. Learn more about registration, exam scheduling, and essential test preparation resources. IHI is here to help you succeed. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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CPPS

Earn the Certified Professional in Patient Safety Credential

The Certified Professional in Patient Safety credential (CPPS)™ is awarded through a thorough examination covering four patient safety domains:​ Culture​, Systems Thinking, Human Factors Engineering, and Design, Safety Risks and Responses, Performance Measurement, Analysis, and Improvement and Monitoring.
Learn more about CPPS

Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)

The Certified Professional in Patient SafetyTM credential (CPPS) is earned by professionals who have demonstrated a high level ​​of proficiency in the core standards of patient safety.​​​​​​​​​ This credential is awarded through a thorough examination covering four patient safety domains:​

  • Culture​
  • Systems Thinking, Human Factors Engineering, and Design
  • Safety Risks and Responses
  • Performance Measurement, Analysis, Improvement and Monitoring

More than 7,000 professionals have earned the CPPS credential, representing all 50 US states and 32 countries.​​​​​​​

Download the CPPS Brochure for additional information

 

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NCAA by ICE

The Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)TM  program is fully accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Accreditation from NCCA, the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) 's accrediting body provides independent affirmation that the CPPS program achieves the highest quality standards in professional certification. NCCA uses a peer review process to establish accreditation standards, evaluate compliance with these standards, recognize programs that demonstrate compliance, and serve as a resource on quality certification. 

CPPS Review Courses

Live Webinars

Stay tuned for details on our Summer 2025 offering.

Live webinar October 22–23, 2025 (12 PM – 4 PM ET​​)

On Demand

You can also take the CPPS Review Course on demand whenever you like.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity may also be applicable for other professions that accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

In support of improving patient care, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. This program is approved to provide 7 credits for physicians, nurses, pharmacy, and Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) recertification.

CPPS Informational Session

Missed the last exclusive Informational Call? Listen Now & review the slides!

CPPS Scholarships

This year's round of CPPS scholarship applications will open on May 15, 2025. If you would like to be notified when the application window opens, please submit your email through this form.

Scholarships include full coverage for the fees of:

  • Online CPPS Review Course
  • CPPS Practice Exam
  • CPPS Credentialing Exam

Any professional working in or around health care who is able to demonstrate need and meets the exam eligibility requirements is encouraged to apply. 

Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)™ Credential

7,000+

Professionals have earned the CPPS credential

50

US states represented

32

Countries represented

Why Certification Is Important

This professional certification program establishes core standards for the field of patient safety, benchmarks requirements necessary for health care professionals, and sets an expected proficiency level.​​

​For professionals, the CPPS credential provides those working in patient safety a means to demonstrate their proficiency and skill in the discipline

For organizations, requiring the CPPS credential provides a way for employers to validate a potential candidate’s patient safety knowledge and skill base, critical competencies for today’s health​​ care challenges

​Additional compelling reasons to earn your CPPS:

  • 79% of health care professionals who have earned the CPPS told us that this credential helped them to improve patient care at their organization
  • You can prepare for the CPPS exam — and take the actual exam — virtually, from wherever you are
  • Adding this credential to your CV makes your commitment to — and education about — patient safety visible
  • ​Since earning their CPPS credential, 81% of titleholders have led organization or system-wide initiatives, leading critical improvements​

Who Should Consider Certification

  • Physicians
  • Nurses​
  • Pharmacists​
  • Patient Safety Professionals​
  • Quality and Risk Management Professionals​
  • Health Care Executives​
  • Non-Clinical Health Care Professionals​
  • ​All other health care professionals with the requisite background​

Requirements for Certification

Candidates for the CPPS credential are those who include patient safety practices as an integral component of current or future professional responsibilities. Candidates must also possess academic and professional experience at one of the following levels:

  • Baccalaureate degree or higher, plus three years of experience (includes time spent in clinical rotations and residency programs) in a health care setting or with a provider of services to the health care industry

OR​​

  • Associate degree or equivalent plus five years of experience (includes time spent in clinical rotations) in a health care setting or with a provider of services to the health care industry​

CBPPS randomly audits a limited number of applications per year to confirm eligibility requirements are met. If your application is selected for audit, please be prepared to provide documentation attesting to your education and experience. 

Additional Information

Karen Harris, MSN-MHA, RN, CPHQ, CPPS

Vice President of Quality, StoneSprings Hospital Center

Vice President of Quality, StoneSprings Hospital Center

“My CPPS credential is a testimony to the competency I have to be a leader in my hospital’s patient safety efforts, and one that I proudly wear.”

Romeo Miguel Alonzo, MAN, RN, CPHQ, CPXP, CPPS

Quality Specialist, Qatar Red Crescent Society

Quality Specialist, Qatar Red Crescent Society

“My certification will help me move forward with my career in the field of patient safety. This prestigious designation will put me in the vast world of ever-changing and challenging, yet fulfilling patient safety movement.”

Lisa Kuprel, RN, MSN, CPHQ, CPPS

Quality Analyst, Maui Medical Center

Quality Analyst, Maui Medical Center

“I proudly wear the CPPS credential. This credential demonstrates to colleagues, customers, and patients my extensive knowledge and commitment to patient safety. It offers me the ability to be a respected leader in the health care field.”

Denise Peterson, RN, MMH

Senior Director Quality and Patient Safety, Cambridge Health Alliance

Senior Director Quality and Patient Safety, Cambridge Health Alliance

“I am thrilled to have the CPPS recognition to help promote the importance of patient safety as a leading factor for focusing the safety of the care we provide and ensure patients are aware of that importance to us.”

Need Help?

Email our team at cpps@ihi.org

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Health Improvement Alliance Europe

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Health Improvement Alliance Europe

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Health Improvement Alliance Europe is a coalition of leaders united for change, driven by collaboration, and focused on achieving health and health care results. 

The Alliance is an exclusive community dedicated to continuous learning and identification of best practices and new models from within and outside health and hea​lth care. The group aims to create new delivery models relevant to European health systems, and achieve the best health and best care at an affordable cost in the face of changing demographics, increasing chronic illness, and economic challenges.​

IHI, with its rich history of improving health and health care worldwide for more than 30 years, is uniquely positioned to convene forward-thinking health care organisation leaders in this bold, collaborative learning environment.

The current ​program year began in October 2024.​ For more information, please download the 2024–2025 Prospectus.

 

 

Bold and Visionary Health Care Leadership

Patients, families, providers, and communities within Europe are looking for bold and visionary health care leaders — leaders who believe that now, perhaps more than ever before, we must change the dialogue about health care.

How will our health and care systems cope with the demands if we do not generate new models of delivery that will improve the health and health care for all of our citizens? This is why a coalition of progressive leaders have formed the IHI Health Improvement Alliance Europe.​

Aims and Objectives

To achieve our aim to improve work processes, create new delivery models, disseminate our learning and ideas, and achieve the best health and best care at affordable cost, the Health Improvement Alliance Europe aims to:

  • ​Surface common challenges across and within regions
  • Develop a cadre of diverse innovators and encourage innovative thinking
  • Leverage each other’s ideas and successes, sharing internationally
  • Hone a strong, bold, collective voice
  • Learn from past and present networks at IHI and worldwide

An "All Teach, All Learn" Network

Join the IHI Health Improvement Alliance Europe to connect with like-minded colleagues under a philosophy of “all teach, all learn” that can significantly accelerate the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to strive for best health.

  • ​Learn and test new innovations with other leaders, spreading improvements in new systems
  • Share ideas and strategies across organisational, regional, and national boundaries
  • Create new delivery models relevant to European health systems to achieve the best care at affordable considering changing demographics, increasing chronic illness, and economic challenges​
  • Meet and connect with like-minded colleagues who strive for the best health; best care; at affordable costs…for everyone.​

Alliance Benefits and Fees

Alliance Design and Principles

Alliance Schedule

Cristina Serrão

Lived Experience Ambassador, NHS England

Lived Experience Ambassador, NHS England

"As my work during the pandemic aligned more and more with co-production and quality improvement, I really appreciated the warm welcome from the other members of the Alliance. This sense of belonging has strengthened year on year."

Mathieu Louiset

Innovation and Improvement Officer, PAQS, Belgium

Innovation and Improvement Officer, PAQS, Belgium

"The Alliance has shown us new projects and ways of working during sites visits and has given us opportunities to think together about health care challenges such as connecting finance and quality improvement and increasing joy in work."

Ron Agble

Director of Partnerships and Transactions, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, England​

Director of Partnerships and Transactions, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, England​

"The Alliance provides not only great ideas, focus, and constructive challenges but ​also a sense of community. Through the Alliance, Royal Free London has fostered other local and regional partnerships, focusing on a range of topics."

Mandy Op den Oordt

Continuous Improvement & Person-Centered Care, Zuyderland Medical Center, The Netherlands

Continuous Improvement & Person-Centered Care, Zuyderland Medical Center, The Netherlands

"The Alliance gave us the opportunity to learn and connect with progressive leaders in quality improvement and many others in Europe who are facing the same challenges. Reflecting and sharing assets and ideas gives us inspiration and energy to tackle those challenges."

Need Help or Have Questions?

Contact the IHI Health Improvement Alliance Europe Team, email Andreia Cavaco (acavaco@ihi.org)

Email

Leadership Alliance

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Leadership Alliance

A Dynamic, Collaborative Learning Community for Health Care Executives and Their Teams

​The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Leadership Alliance is a dynamic collaboration of health care executives who share a goal to work with one another as well as in partnership with our patients, workforces, and communities to deliver on the full promise of the IHI Triple Aim.

Alliance Members share generously with one another, confident that by collaborating and learning together, we can individually and collectively get better, faster.

At this critical moment, health care needs leaders with the courage to imagine, design, and scale new models of innovation, collaboration, and governance that can push health care beyond its traditional limits.

The Leadership Alliance provides that space for leaders to transform and innovate health care together and we are committed to rebuilding healthcare from the inside out.

The 2024–2025 IHI Leadership Alliance membership year began in October 2024.

Read the TIME article by Donald. M. Berwick, MD, MPP, FRCP, KBE, IHI President Emeritus, Senior Fellow, and Senior Advisor to the IHI Leadership Alliance, American Health Care Is Broken. Major Hospitals Need to Be Part of the Solution.
 


Who Should Join

The IHI Leadership Alliance is a dynamic, collaborative learning community for health system executives and their teams characterized by generosity, curiosity, courage, and commitment to delivering on the full promise of the Triple Aim.

We welcome organizations that believe that by sharing and learning with one another and partnering with patients, workforces, and communities can help us individually and collectively get better, faster. In other words, organizations that:

  • Have commitments from the highest levels of organizational leadership that delivering on the full promise of the Triple Aim is of strategic importance
  • Are willing to share generously and commit the time and resources required to meaningfully engage in developin​​​g, testing, implementing, and measuring care redesign efforts
  • Are fully committed to moving from talking to doing, from aspiring to achieving​

Leadership Alliance Benefits and Fees

Leadership Alliance Prospectus

Download the IHI Leadership Alliance Prospectus to learn more about the Alliance and how your organization can join this remarkable group of health care innovators.

Download Prospectus
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IHI Leadership Alliance prospectus cover 2024

Current Schedule

Leadership Alliance Resources and Publications

Chris Woleske

President, Bellin Health

President, Bellin Health

"While it's a difficult challenge we face, there is hope because we join together and share the load. That is what IHI facilitates every day."

Ann Lewis

Chief Executive Officer, CareSouth Carolina, Inc.

Chief Executive Officer, CareSouth Carolina, Inc.

“The opportunity to gather with folks who are like-minded around ‘let’s do something, let’s make something happen, let’s shake it up’ was what drove us to join the Leadership Alliance.”

Steve Tierney

Medical Director and CMIO, Southcentral Foundation

Medical Director and CMIO, Southcentral Foundation

“I am not sure any other group besides IHI could have convened that broad a range of perspectives. The multi-stakeholder meeting with government, and private sector innovators was the most exciting IHI event I have been to in a decade.”

Mark Jarrett

Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer, Northwell Health

Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer, Northwell Health

“We as leaders see that our obligation is not just to our own hospitals, health systems, or care centers, but for all communities. The Leadership Alliance allows us the opportunity to start to take control of things.”

Need Help or Have Questions?

Contact the Leadership Alliance Team, email David Coletta (dcoletta@ihi.org)

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