Florida Academic Healthcare Patient Safety Organization

In 2005, Congress developed and enacted the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA) with the intent of cultivating a culture of safety and improving healthcare, by providing federal privilege and confidentiality protections for information that is reported to a Patient Safety Organization (PSO), developed by a PSO, or which represents the analyses and deliberations of patient safety events, for the conduct of patient safety activities. The PSQIA promotes the sharing of knowledge gleaned from these patient safety activities and the sharing of best practices and recommendations that seek to improve the quality of healthcare.

The Florida Academic Healthcare Patient Safety Organization (FAH PSO), listed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on April 22, 2014, represents a significant step toward improving patient safety in the third most populous state in the United States. The PSQIA and the associated federal confidentiality protections provide the required framework to allow the sharing of sensitive patient safety data among medical providers employed by the six different State of Florida medical universities training the next generation of healthcare providers. The FAH PSO represents Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, and the respective institutions’ healthcare providers working together to improve patient safety and healthcare.

Florida Academic Healthcare Patient Safety Organization
201 Southeast 2nd Avenue, Suite 209
Gainesville, FL 32601
352-273-7006
FAH-PSO@hsc.ufl.edu

Student Concussion Treatment in the University Setting

In 2016, at the behest of its membership, the Florida Academic Healthcare Patient Safety Organization (FAH PSO) convened a Student Concussion Task Force to arrive at expert consensus guidelines for effective identification, care, and treatment, as well as documentation of and education for concussion care for university students. This specific patient population seeks to participate in collegiate level or intramural sports and balance a challenging university curriculum; for these reasons, the FAH PSO sought to develop these recommendations supported by the literature and healthcare providers actively involved in providing these services.

This Task Force began with a review of the latest scientific evidence, guidance, and opinion statements from relevant professional societies on the appropriate and effective use of concussion care and treatment. Further insights were gathered from FAH PSO subject matter experts in the fields of Student Health, Sports Medicine, Neurology, Neuropsychology and Psychology. Study of the cause and effect of concussions continues to evolve. Though most concussions resolve within weeks, there remains a great deal to learn about more severe and prolonged post-concussive syndrome and chronic traumatic encephalopathy which, to date, can only be definitively diagnosed through post-mortem examination.

Over the course of a year, the Task Force generated recommendations for the identification and management of concussion care, with a focus on post-concussion management of patients and development of a supportive environment for successful treatment, and physical and cognitive recovery. While the core focus of these recommendations is concussion care and treatment, the recommendations also address several other areas critical to the treatment and monitoring of concussive symptoms.

Behavioral Health Integration in the University Setting

In 2016, at the behest of its membership, the Florida Academic Healthcare Patient Safety Organization (FAH PSO) convened a Behavioral Health Integration Task Force to arrive at an expert consensus of guidelines for effective behavioral healthcare and treatment, and integration of available services, for university students. With an expanding patient population for whom these services may be necessary, the FAH PSO sought to create these recommendations supported by a subject matter expert panel, review of the available literature, and identification of professional practices of healthcare providers actively involved in the provision of these services.

This Task Force began with a review of the latest scientific evidence, guidance, and opinion statements from relevant professional societies on the appropriate and effective use of integration of primary care and behavioral healthcare and treatment for the university student. Further insights were gathered from subject matter experts in Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology, Student Health and Counseling.

Over the course of a year, the Task Force generated the following recommendations for the identification and management of behavioral healthcare with a focus on the integration of multiple services and providers within the university setting and surrounding area facilities and providers with the goal of developing a plan to foster a supportive environment for successful treatment. While the core focus of these recommendations is behavioral health integration, the recommendations also address several other areas critical to the treatment of behavioral health concerns.