scope:

PURPOSE

This Instruction:

Implements policy, assigns responsibility, and prescribes procedures under the authority of references (a) and (b), establishes a MHSPSP to identify and report centrally actual and potential problems in medical systems and processes and to implement effective actions to improve patient safety and healthcare quality throughout the MHS. The MHSPSP, to the extent practicable shall emulate the system established for reporting, compilation, and analysis of errors in the provision of healthcare under the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) healthcare system.

Prescribes procedures in every military medical treatment facility (MTF) for a dedicated program for avoiding medical errors and improving patient safety that is focused on prevention, not punishment, and on improving medical systems and processes to overcome preventable errors.

Establishes a MHS Patient Safety Center (MHSPSC), including a MHS Patient Safety Registry (MHSPSR) through the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) (reference (c)).

Establishes two Centers of Excellence (COE) in the MHSPSC to develop programs to improve communication, coordination, and teamwork in the provision of healthcare in MTFs and operational units.

Complies with the requirements for confidentiality of medical quality assurance (QA) records under 10 U.S.C. 1102 and DoD Directive 6040.37 (references (d) and (e)).

Establishes a Healthcare Team Coordination Program.

APPLICABILITY

This Instruction applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities of the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as "the DoD Components").