HHS Secretary Invites ASHP and Other Partners to Co-Create Action Alliance to Advance Patient Safety

Today, ASHP Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Abramowitz participated in a daylong meeting with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra focused on advancing patient safety.

HHS discussed its plan to co-create a National Healthcare System Action Alliance to Advance Patient Safety in partnership with healthcare systems, federal partners, patients and families, and other stakeholders.

ASHP was invited to participate in this important initiative as a result of our longstanding leadership in advancing patient safety, including as a member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s National Steering Committee for Patient Safety, which produced the Safer Together: A National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety that will be used as a framework to support this effort. 

During the meeting, participants discussed emerging priorities and the role of patient safety as part of each of them as our nation’s healthcare system recovers from and evolves after the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics included supporting our healthcare workforce, improving equity, harnessing the potential of telehealth and data sciences, responding to and planning for climate change, and expanding access to behavioral healthcare.

ASHP appreciates the opportunity to represent the collective voice of our 60,000 members as we highlight pharmacists’ critical role in improving patient safety across the continuum of care. We look forward to working closely with HHS and other healthcare organizations on this important initiative and sharing updates with our members.