National Quality Forum and AHRQ to Host Press Briefing in Los Angeles on Consensus Report on Patient Safety Practices

5/12/2003

From: Kristie Smith, 301-594-8045, ksmith@ahrq.gov, or Ron Rabbu, 301-594-0378, rrabbu@ahrq.gov, both of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

News Advisory:

WHAT: Roundtable press briefing to discuss the findings of a new report from the National Quality Forum called Safe Practices for Better Healthcare: A Consensus Report. The report, which was funded in part by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), identifies 30 safe practices that should be universally used in health care settings to reduce the risk of harm resulting from processes, systems, or environments of care. Patient safety experts will discuss the report's findings during a 45-minute press briefing at the National Quality Forum meeting in Los Angeles.

WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2003 8 - 8:45 a.m. PDT (11 - 11:45 a.m. EDT)

WHERE: Boardroom-2nd Floor Sheraton Gateway Hotel/Los Angeles Airport 6101 West Century Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90045 310-642-4056

WHO: -- Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.P.H., president and CEO, National Quality Forum, Washington, DC -- Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD -- Thomas L. Garthwaite, M.D., director and Chief Medical Officer, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, CA -- Dennis S. O'Leary, M.D., president, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Note to reporters who are not based in Los Angeles: You may participate in the briefing by telephone by registering with Ron Rabbu or Kristie Smith in AHRQ's Public Affairs Office. Please contact Ron or Kristie at the phone numbers or e-mail addresses below by 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 14, to confirm your place on the call and to request call-in information and background materials.

For more information, contact: Kristie Smith, AHRQ Public Affairs, 301-594-8045, ksmith@ahrq.gov, or Ron Rabbu, AHRQ Public Affairs, 301-594-0378, rrabbu@ahrq.gov