Patient Safety Specialization Course Syllabus

Overview: This specialization provides a comprehensive, beginner-friendly path through patient safety essentials, designed for healthcare professionals aiming to lead safe, impactful systems change. The program spans seven courses totaling approximately 28 weeks at 10 hours per week, covering the full cycle of safety improvement—from systems thinking and culture building to project planning, implementation, measurement, and sustainment. Each course combines foundational knowledge with hands-on exercises, culminating in a capstone project that integrates all skills learned. Lifetime access ensures flexibility for learners to progress at their own pace.

Module 1: Developing a Systems View

Estimated time: 5 hours

• History of patient safety improvement
• Concept of High Reliability Organizations
• Proactive vs. reactive systems thinking

Module 2: Safety Culture & Teamwork

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Core elements of safety culture
• Reporting hazards and safety concerns
• Role of patients and families in safety
• Teamwork strategies for safe care delivery

Module 3: Planning Safety & Quality Projects

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Project scoping and definition
• Design Thinking, A3, and TRiP methodologies
• Setting SMART goals
• Root cause analysis tools

Module 4: Designing for Sustainment

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Planning for lasting change
• Pre-mortem risk analysis
• Stakeholder engagement using the 4E’s + 2 model

Module 5: Implementing and Measuring Safety Projects

Estimated time: 17 hours

• Applying the 4E’s and TRiP models in implementation
• IRB and ethical considerations
• Addressing adaptive vs. technical challenges
• Scaling projects from local to system-level
• Data sources, performance measures, and safety metrics
• Monitoring and interpreting success

Module 6: Capstone: Next Level Safety Work

Estimated time: 12 hours

• Analyze a real-world patient safety case
• Identify defects and root causes
• Develop an A3 improvement plan, change strategy, and measurement tools

Prerequisites

• No advanced experience required
• Basic understanding of healthcare settings preferred
• Interest in improving patient care quality and safety

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Apply systems thinking to identify and address patient safety risks
• Foster a culture of safety through effective communication and teamwork
• Plan and lead quality improvement projects using proven methodologies
• Design strategies for sustaining change and engaging stakeholders
• Measure and evaluate the success of safety initiatives in real-world settings