Malpractice Insurer Awards Patient Safety Grants to Harvard Researchers

December 22, 2005, CAMBRIDGE, MA—Ten researchers in eight Harvard teaching hospitals have been awarded a total of $500,000 to conduct patient safety research projects. The grants were made by CRICO/RMF, the medical malpractice insurer for the Harvard teaching hospitals. They mark the third year of research funding by CRICO/RMF and are intended to advance improvements in patient safety.

Sixty-five physicians, residents and nurses applied for individual grants of $50,000. Recipients represent studies from: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Massachusetts General Hospital, Newton Wellesley Hospital and North Shore Medical Center.

Well known for using medical malpractice claims as a driver to initiate patient safety improvements, CRICO/RMF awards grants for research and demonstration projects aimed at achieving greater understanding of patient safety issues, their etiology, and potential interventions. In the 2005 selection process, the proposals that received the highest priority were:

• studies that have the broadest applicability across the Harvard system studies that have a defined and direct path to implementation (e.g., rapid response teams in non-ICU inpatient units -- Mitchell Rein, MD),
• studies that utilize data to validate the efficacy of a particular concept (e.g., analyzing the content of patient complaints – Henry Tom Stelfox, MD, capturing and utilizing patient safety observations from pediatric patients – Lisa Horowitz, MD), and
• studies with innovative methods of education and training to improve patient safety (e.g., the impact of communication skills training and team building initiative on patient’s perception of physician communication and relationship building – Zeev Neuwirth, MD).

Contact:Susan Kaplan
CRICO/RMF
T. 617.495.5100
F. 617.495.9711
skaplan@rmf.harvard.edu
www.rmf.harvard.edu