Pennsylvania
The Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency established under Act 13 of 2002, the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (“MCARE”) Act. It is charged with taking steps to reduce and eliminate medical errors by identifying problems and recommending solutions that promote patient safety in hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities and birthing centers. The Authority has implemented PA-PSRS, the mandatory statewide Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System. More than 400 healthcare facilities subject to Act 13 reporting requirements are submitting reports through PA-PSRS, making Pennsylvania the first state in the nation to require the reporting of both actual events and “near misses.”
| Advisory groups | Patient Safety Authority Board of Directors | |
| Alerts and advisories | Patient Safety Advisories | |
| Alerts and advisories | Educational Materials | |
| Authorizing statutes or regulations | Pennsylvania Code, Title 28, Chapter 51, Section 3 | |
| Lists or clarifications of reportable events | Patient Safety Authority’s 2004 Report | |
| Public reports | Annual Reports and Other Publications | |
| Public reports | Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority 2008 Annual Report | |
| Reportable event forms | Anonymous Report | |
| Reportable event forms | Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System | |
| State website | Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority |
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
