GE Readies New Patient Safety Network

GE Healthcare will offer free access to its new Global Patient Safety Network during a 90-day evaluation period from April through June, 2012.

The network, enabling providers to collaborate with each other on a national or global basis, will operate under GE’s patient safety organization. Launching of the network follows the Department of Health and Human Services’ establishment of the Hospital Engagement Networks program to identify and promote solutions already available to reduce hospital-acquired conditions.

Part of the Partnership for Patients quality initiative under the health care reform law, HHS in December 2012 awarded a total of $218 million to 26 state, regional national or hospital system organizations to launch the networks program.

GE will use the evaluation period to get feedback from participating hospitals, which do not have to be part of the Hospital Engagement Networks program. The company expects to commercially release the Global Patient Safety Network during 2012.