An Update to "Understanding Ambulatory Care Practices in the Context of Patient Safety and Quality Improvement"

Abstract

The aim of this article is to summarize and interpret the current literature on patient quality and safety measures in the ambulatory setting. The authors reviewed the MEDLINE database from 2016 to the present for articles on patient quality and safety measures in the ambulatory setting. The search was guided by the use of specific keywords and medical subject heading terms, including patient safety, ambulatory care, quality, measurements, medical errors, medication safety and electronic prescribing, safety culture, diagnostic error, team training, continuity, care coordination, simulation exercises, and patient-centered. Studying ambulatory quality and safety remains challenging because of the heterogeneity and complexity of the outpatient environment. This review shows that since 2016, very modest progress has been made in this critical area. Effective change in ambulatory quality and safety will require a prioritization and redoubling of efforts.