Primaris Press Release
| For immediate release: December 1, 2005 |
Contact: Matt Heger Primaris Communications Department (800) 735-6776, Ext. 136 |
Director Selected for New Missouri Center for Patient Safety
COLUMBIA, MO – The search for the first executive director of the newly founded Missouri Center for Patient Safety (MCPS) has ended.
Rebecca Miller has been selected to lead the patient safety advocacy group in its first years, a position she will begin on Monday, Dec. 5.
“Out of the more than 30 candidates from across the U.S. that applied, Miller stood out as someone with the background, knowledge of safety issues and the passion for making health care safe that will be necessary to direct the Missouri Center for Patient Safety in these pivotal first years,” said Bruce Van Cleave, MD, Chairman of the MCPS board.
Miller brings with her over 20 years of health care industry experience. She holds a Master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Most recently, she has worked as vice president of quality and regulatory advocacy for the Missouri Hospital Association.
“I look forward to the opportunity to launch Missouri’s first patient safety center and to coordinate patient safety activities with Missourians and their health care providers,” Miller said. “Through this private collaborative, we hope to make a difference in the health care provided to Missouri’s citizens.”
The non-profit MCPS was established in July to work towards reducing mistakes in all health care settings. The center is the result of a collaborative effort between the Missouri State Medical Association, the Missouri Hospital Association and Primaris, a non-profit health care consulting firm.
Taking a non-regulatory approach, MCPS will work with health care professionals to improve health care safety through positive and constructive guidance. The effort will supplement current regulatory and statutory requirements for hospitals and nursing homes, and disciplinary activities of professional boards.
“Missouri’s caregivers and health care providers go to work every day to provide the best quality of care possible; however, sometimes the complex processes and systems inherent in health care lead to errors,” Miller said. “Through the leadership of the center’s founding members, we will work to learn more about these processes and systems, enhancing them to reduce errors and improve quality provided to Missourians.”
The fundamental concept of a Missouri patient safety center grew from recommendations of the Governor’s Commission for Patient Safety, a 17-member group that recommends statewide changes to improve patient safety. During 2004, the commission produced a report which included recommendations for innovative professional training, hospital policies, patient education and the creation of a private safety organization.
The center will focus on changing health care systems by applying methods and activities that have worked in other parts of the nation. Staff will also promote responsible and accountable public education including participation from provider groups in each health care setting.
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Editor's note:
- Visit the Missouri Center for Patient Safety Online at www.mocps.org
- Missouri State Medical Association online: www.msma.org
- Missouri Hospital Association online: www.mhanet.com
- Primaris online: www.primaris.org
MO-05-02-PS This material was prepared by Primaris under contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The contents do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.