AHA’s Pollack details significant progress hospitals have made improving patient safety – American Hospital Association

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Jun 27, 2025 - 22:30
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AHA’s Pollack details significant progress hospitals have made improving patient safety – American Hospital Association

Report on Hospital Progress in Patient Safety and Quality Care

Introduction

Rick Pollack, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA), recently highlighted the significant advancements hospitals have made in patient safety and the delivery of high-quality care. His insights were shared in a column published on June 27 by the Future of Personal Health and featured in printed editions of USA Today.

Commitment to Patient Safety and Quality Care

Pollack emphasized that the core mission of hospitals and health systems revolves around three key objectives:

  1. Keeping patients safe
  2. Providing quality care
  3. Improving overall health outcomes

Ongoing Improvement and Impact

He described the journey toward enhanced healthcare as continuous, with ongoing efforts to build upon successful programs that deliver meaningful and measurable benefits to patients.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The progress in patient safety and quality care directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By prioritizing patient safety and quality care, hospitals contribute to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The development and implementation of innovative healthcare programs reflect advancements in health infrastructure and technology.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Efforts to provide quality care for everyone help reduce health disparities across different populations.

Conclusion

Hospitals and health systems remain dedicated to advancing patient safety and quality care as integral components of sustainable health development. The ongoing improvements underscore a commitment to the SDGs, ensuring that healthcare progress benefits all individuals and communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

  1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
    • The article focuses on patient safety, quality care, and improving health, which are central to SDG 3.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

  1. SDG 3 Targets:
    • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
    • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
    • Target 3.6: Halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents (implied through patient safety emphasis).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

  1. While no specific indicators are explicitly mentioned, the article implies the use of the following indicators to measure progress:
    • Patient safety metrics such as rates of hospital-acquired infections, medical errors, and adverse events.
    • Quality of care indicators including patient outcomes, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction scores.
    • Health system performance measures related to access and coverage.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
  • 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
  • 3.6: Halve global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents (implied).
  • Patient safety metrics (hospital-acquired infections, medical errors, adverse events).
  • Quality of care indicators (patient outcomes, readmission rates, patient satisfaction).
  • Health system performance measures (access and coverage).

Source: aha.org