Study finds patient safety measures surpass pre-pandemic levels

Hospitals and health systems have improved patient safety measures, even as they care for sicker patients, a JAMA study found. Co-authored by American Hospital Association Chief Physician Executive Chris DeRienzo, MD, and leaders from Vizient, the cohort study of 715 U.S. hospitals from 2019 to 2024 finds hospital deaths declined significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming hospitals’ and health systems’ pre-pandemic trajectory of improvement. The AHA and Vizient released a report in September 2024 highlighting how hospitals’ efforts have improved performance on key patient safety and quality measures. In addition, the groups released a report in August 2025 showing better outcomes for hospitalized surgical patients. (AHA News article, 11/17/25)