Quality and Patient Safety in Neonatal Care

Abstract

In neonatal care, as in all areas of clinical medicine, deficiencies in care and medical errors occur. Wide variation in outcomes exists, suggesting that quality of care differs between centres. Institutions providing care for neonates should ideally monitor and continually improve the quality and safety of care provided, by avoiding medical errors and preventable adverse events to ensure that their patients receive the best care possible and attain the best clinical outcomes possible. This chapter provides an overview of terminology associated with quality and safety in clinical care, describes commonly used methods to monitor and review quality and safety, and highlights commonly used quality indicators. Strategies are suggested that may be used in the clinical environment to improve the safe, effective and efficient delivery of patient and family-centred care in the neonatal unit setting.