ABPM’s Definition of Patient Safety
Patient safety was defined by the IOM as “the prevention of harm to patients.” Emphasis is placed on the system of care delivery that (1) prevents errors; (2) learns from the errors that do occur; and (3) is built on a culture of safety that involves health care professionals, organizations, and patients. The glossary at the AHRQ Patient Safety Network Web site expands upon the definition of prevention of harm: “freedom from accidental or preventable injuries produced by medical care.”
Patient Safety Requirement
To satisfy ABPM’s requirement for patient safety, diplomates must complete one patient safety course during the first two years of each ABPM certification cycle.
In addition to the pre-approved courses, any patient safety course that satisfies the following requirements may count towards the patient safety course requirement:
- It addresses patient safety as defined by the ABPM (see definition above)
- Consists of at least one hour of patient safety-related content
- Is approved for AMA PRA Category 1™ CME Credit or its equivalent as may be approved by ABPM at its sole discretion
- It is completed during the diplomate’s current ABPM certification cycle
ACGME-Accredited Residencies and Fellowships
ACGME-accredited residency training completed in 2012 and later satisfies the patient safety course requirement for a diplomate’s first certification cycle, provided the diplomate has been certified by ABPM through the Residency Pathway and has completed residency training in 2012 or later.
ACGME-accredited fellowship training completed in 2012 and later satisfies the patient safety course requirement for a diplomate’s first certification cycle, provided the diplomate has been certified by ABPM in a subspecialty through the Fellowship Pathway and has completed fellowship training in 2012 or later.