Application: Institute of Medicine Reports

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose work has helped draw attention to quality concerns in health care. Two IOM reports, To Err is Human and Crossing The Quality Chasm, particularly stand out for the provocative effect that they have had on quality improvement efforts.

To prepare for this Application, review this week's Learning Resources, including the executive summaries of the two IOM reports and the article "Patient Safety at Ten: Unmistakable Progress, Troubling Gaps."

The Assignment

Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:

• From your perspective as a health care professional and/or consumer, summarize two or three of the most important messages of the IOM reports To Err is Human and Crossing the Quality Chasm.

• Analyze at least two of the changes proposed in these reports, and explain how they are expected to contribute toward the desired improvements.

• Briefly assess some of the challenges related to these changes. (Select at least one challenge for each change you have chosen to focus on.)