The delivery of high-quality, safe patient care is fundamental to a successful
outcome for pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia. Organizations rooted in a
transparent culture where employees are encouraged to speak up for safety will often
engage their staff and patients to design systems of care that are meaningful and
effective. Successful healthcare organizations continuously analyze data and refine
processes in search of opportunities for improvement. This chapter will discuss the core
principles of quality and patient safety and review some ongoing national and
international collaborative efforts to improve anesthesia care for children. Practical
strategies for establishing a quality improvement program are explored, including
incorporation of simulation for performance improvement.
Keywords: Adverse events, Checklists, Cognitive aids, Handoff communication, High reliability, Just culture, Medication error, Patient safety, Quality improvement, Simulation, System engineering.
