When determining safety priorities within an organization, what is the best approach?

Gathering input from varied sources is essential in determining safety priorities because it ensures a comprehensive view of the safety landscape within the organization. This approach allows for the integration of diverse perspectives and experiences from various stakeholders, including clinical staff, administrative personnel, patients, and safety experts. By collecting insights from these different groups, the organization can identify unique safety issues that may not be captured through standard metrics or literature alone.

Moreover, this method encourages collaboration and fosters a culture of safety, as it involves all stakeholders in the decision-making process. It also helps mitigate biases that may arise when relying solely on literature, accreditation standards, or performance measurements, which could overlook localized risks or emerging trends in patient safety specific to that organization. Ultimately, prioritizing safety based on a wide range of inputs helps create a more effective and targeted safety strategy that aligns with the actual needs of the organization and its patients.