Patient Harm During COVID-19 Pandemic: Using a Human Factors Lens to Promote Patient and Workforce Safety
Effective response to a pandemic requires policy makers and professionals to acknowledge and examine associated challenges such as the absence of evidence-based tests and treatments and the reassignment of healthcare staff to unfamiliar work environments.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented mobilization of healthcare resources including redeployment of healthcare workers within hospitals and from outside institutions. Although redeployment was necessary to meet the surge in patients, it will not be without adverse effects
Health systems that embraced patient safety principles before the pandemic will likely be more able to cope, but all will be affected to some degree.