NAMES IN THE NEWS

Joint Commission, National Quality Forum Accepting Applications for Eisenberg Awards

AUGUST 2021

The application period for the 2021 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards is open now through September 30, according to an August 10 release. The annual awards program from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum (NQF) recognizes major achievements by individuals and organizations to improve patient safety and healthcare quality.

Awards are presented in three categories: Individual Achievement, National Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality, and Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. Past recipients of this prestigious award include the Veterans Health Administration Rapid Naloxone Initiative, HCA Healthcare, WellSpan Health, Children's Hospitals' Solutions for Patient Safety, American College of Surgeons and Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, according to the release.

Initiatives or projects eligible for the national and local level awards will have involved successful system changes or interventions that make the environment of care safer or that advocate on the patient’s behalf. These innovative efforts may address new technologies, protocols, procedures, education, organization culture, legislation, the media, patient advocacy, systems theory or another area, according to the release. Organizations applying must have at minimum one year (12 months) of data supporting the improvement made by the featured initiative.

A panel of experts and leaders in healthcare quality and safety, chaired by Carolyn Clancy, MD, assistant under secretary for health for Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks, Veterans Health Administration, will evaluate applications.

Launched in 2002, this award program honors the late John M. Eisenberg, MD, former administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. An advocate for healthcare quality improvement, Eisenberg was a founding member of NQF’s board of directors.

For more information on the application process and to access the application form, please visit the Eisenberg Awards webpage. Interested parties can inquire about eligibility and the application process by writing EisenbergAwards@qualityforum.org.