Patient safety measures are a tool to help hospitals identify potential adverse events that may occur during hospitalization. Specifically, patient safety measures can help identify potential complications that may occur when a patient is admitted to a hospital to receive treatment for a medical condition. These complications can be preventable.

Patient safety measures are useful because they can help hospitals and healthcare providers identify areas to make improvements in the inpatient setting. Colorado hospitals are submitting data for the following patient safety measures:

• Bloodstream Infection (Sepsis)

• Blood Clot (DVT) / Lung Artery Clot (PE)

• Pressure Sores (Decubitus Ulcer)