What is an important aspect of patient safety according to CMS standards?

An important aspect of patient safety according to CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) standards is focused on being cost-effective and lean. This approach emphasizes the efficient use of resources to ensure that safety protocols and patient care practices are implemented effectively without unnecessary expenditures that do not contribute to patient safety and quality of care.

Being cost-effective means that healthcare providers can allocate financial and human resources to areas that directly enhance patient safety, such as staff training, implementing evidence-based practices, and maintaining high standards of hygiene and operational procedures. A lean approach further supports this by streamlining processes to eliminate waste and redundancies, allowing healthcare facilities to provide safer and more reliable care.

This aligns with the broader goal of CMS to improve the quality of care through efficient use of resources while ensuring that patient safety remains a top priority. Prioritizing financial efficiency does not compromise patient care; rather, it leverages resources to maximize patient outcomes.