We Want to Know-a mixed methods evaluation of a comprehensive program designed to detect and address patient-reported breakdowns in care. | PSNet

We Want to Know-a mixed methods evaluation of a comprehensive program designed to detect and address patient-reported breakdowns in care. | PSNet

We want to know-a mixed methods evaluation of a comprehensive program designed to detect and address patient-reported breakdowns in care.

Fisher KA, Smith KM, Gallagher TH, et al. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2020

This article evaluates the implementation of the We Want to Know program, which encourages hospitalized patients to speak up about breakdowns in care. Over a three-year period at one large, community hospital, the program interviewed over 4,600 patients and identified 822 (17.6%) who experienced a breakdown in care. Of those, 66.5% identified harm associated with the incident and 61.9% had spoken to someone at the hospital about it. Stakeholders (e.g., nurses, nurse managers, physicians, hospital administrators and leadership) found the program reports provided timely, actionable information and allowed for real-time responses and resolutions. Concerns cited by stakeholders included overlap with exiting patient safety reporting efforts, high level of effort and resources required, ensuring adequate responses.