Media Advisory

10/01/01

Contact: Ken Inchausti, Premier Inc.
704-733-5586

Lynn Gentry, VHA Inc.
972-830-0798

National Conference draws innovative "Stories of Success" To urge healthcare industry to improve environments of safety

National Patient Safety Foundation, p4ps, Premier Inc., and VHA Inc. bring expertise and advocacy to forum in Dallas, Texas

Who:

The partnership between several leading healthcare organizations:
Partnership for Patient Safety (p4ps), the National Patient Safety
Foundation( NPSF), Premier Inc. and VHA Inc.

What:

The Partnership Symposium 2001 - Patient Safety: Stories of Success

When:

October 10-12, 2001

Where:

The Fairmont Dallas, Dallas, Texas

Background:

Safety is a top-line issue for patients, their advocates and loved ones, payers, providers, and legislator's. p4ps, in partnership with a patient advocacy foundation and two group purchasing organizations, convenes a multi-disciplinary program for healthcare constituents to build or enhance their own safety systems. Topics presented at the Partnership Symposium 2001 Patient Safety: Stories of Success offer practical insights and novel strategies on how to manage a dynamic environment challenged by work-place shortages; risks for medical errors and adverse drug events: mounting evidence-based care; and strained relationships between patients and administrators.

Featured speakers at this year's event speak for providers, patients, healthcare professionals and policymakers. Some of them include:

Annie Milstein, M.D., M.P.H., national leader for the Leapfrog Group;
John Nance, aviation safety expert and ABC news consultant;
Richard A. Norling, Chairman and CEO of Premier Inc.;
Nancy Conrad, wife of the late astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad leader in promoting quality improvement in emergency care;
and C. Thomas Smith, President and CEO of VHA, Inc.