In the current climate of managed care, tight cost controls, limited resources, and the growing demand for health care services, conditions for medical errors are ripe. Nearly 100,000 people die each year from medical errors and tens of thousands more are injured. This comprehensive handbook on patient safety reflects the goals of many in the health care industry to advance the reliability of healthcare systems worldwide. With contributions from prominent thought leaders in the field, this thoroughly revised, Second Edition of The Patient Safety Handbook looks at all the recent changes in the industry and offers practical guidance on implementing systems and processes to improve outcomes and advance patient safety. The book covers the full spectrum of patient safety and risk reduction- from the fundamentals of the science of safety, through a thorough discussion of operational issues, and the application of the principles of research. Real-life case studies from renowned health care organizations and their leadership help the reader understand the practical application of the strategies presented. Key Features: * Offers contributions from prominent thought leaders in both academia and the profession. * Examines the newest scientific advances in the science of safety. * Includes real-life case studies from renowned health care organizations.