Enterprise Safety Management
A transformational, systemwide approach to safety that drives operational excellence and prevents harm.
A Different Approach to Safety Is Needed
Lasting safety requires more than reactive fixes—it demands a systemwide approach. Healthcare leaders need to embed safety into daily operations, align with CMS standards, and build a great culture that not only protects patients, caregivers, and staff, but also supports the well-being of those involved and fosters continuous learning.
A Blueprint for Safer Care
ECRI’s Enterprise Safety Management Program enables leaders to align safety with operational excellence. It embeds safety processes into governance and daily workflows, reduces inefficiencies, and ensures that every improvement effort is grounded in evidence and equity.
By addressing both physical and psychological safety, the program supports the well-being of everyone in the care environment—from patients and families to frontline caregivers and leadership teams.
Many healthcare safety, quality, and risk functions operate in isolated departments, each with its own processes, objectives and goals. This fragmentation can hinder collaboration and reduce effectiveness to reaching a goal of zero preventable harm.
What is Enterprise Safety Management?
Enterprise Safety Management (ESM) is derived from the basic concepts that drive enterprise risk management, an integrated functionality that addresses safety and risk within organizational systems, safety procedures, and clinical operational processes, and minimizes the risk of preventable harm across the whole organization.
The ESM Framework
ESM is a proactive, organization-wide framework that is informed by human factors principles, systems thinking, and data-driven expertise. Instead of waiting for harm to occur, ESM helps healthcare organizations anticipate risks, design safer systems, and assess whether interventions are truly effective.
Patient Safety Advisors
Systems Thinking
Data-driven Expertise
Enterprise Safety Management Modules
The ESM blueprint includes adaptable, process-based modules that can be tailored to each organization’s needs. Each module is actionable, evidence-informed, and designed to integrate into existing operational workflows.
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Peer Support for Team Members
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Communication, Apology, Review, and Resolution with Patients and Families
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Root Cause Analysis of Harm Events and Near Misses
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Great Catch Reporting and Recognition
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Patient-Reported Safety Concerns: Reporting, Response, and Action
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Safety Event Reporting
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Tiered Safety Huddles
Impact Story
Health System Improves RCA Process
Find out how this health system strengthened the effectiveness and consistency of its root cause analysis (RCA) process following patient safety events and near misses.
Partnering for Lasting Impact
Safety isn’t a one-time initiative—it’s a continuous pursuit that requires leadership, structure, and systems that support people at every level. ECRI’s Enterprise Safety Management Program provides the tools, data, and guidance to make that possible. Together, we can build a culture of safety that protects patients, caregivers, and families, supports well-being, and drives lasting improvement.
Let's Build a Safer Future Together
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