What year did the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act go into effect?

The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act was enacted in 2005, but it officially went into effect in 2009. This legislation was established to improve patient safety by encouraging the reporting of medical errors and adverse events. It created a framework for healthcare providers to report such incidents confidentially without the fear of legal repercussions, enabling improvements in patient safety practices and quality of care. The act also facilitated the creation of Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), which are entities designed to collect and analyze patient safety data to enhance healthcare quality. This foundational aspect of the Act highlights the importance of fostering an environment that prioritizes patient safety and open communication about errors in healthcare settings.