Susan Dentzer Discusses the Prevention of Excessive Care

Susan Dentzer, Senior Policy Adviser, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, says that there is growing interest in protecting healthcare providers from medical liability if they are following evidence-based protocols. She notes that demonstration projects will determine if there can be "safe harbors" for physicians and other healthcare providers. Ms Dentzer says that a safe harbor would immunize providers against liability if they practice with certain parameters. "We really have to shift the model and the mindset more to ensuring quality and ensuring high standards of quality and safety, but also recognizing the errors when they take place," said Dentzer. "Typically they are not errors of individuals alone. They're usually errors of systems."