Prevention through design in the health care sector

Abstract

The health care sector in the United States traditionally lags behind manufacturing in applying concepts and models that improve process and safety performance. Recently, an initiative to bring risk management systems' thinking to work place process design has started up in the United States, under the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. So called Prevention through Design, it is a broad-based strategic initiative that looks at education, research, policy, and practice through eight market sectors. In health care, Prevention through Design environmentally-preferable purchasing and ergonomic design, as well as control banding for occupational exposures and patient safety. This paper will present an overview of the Prevention through Design concept and detail specific work that is being done to eliminate work place injuries and illnesses. Examples of successful Prevention through Design efforts at Kaiser Permanente will be highlighted.