JAMA article shows patient safety measures surpass pre-pandemic levels 

Nov 17, 2025 - 02:39 PM
A black nurse with a smile on her face shares a tablet with a white elderly patient lying in a hospital bed.

A JAMA article co-authored by AHA Chief Physician Executive Chris DeRienzo, M.D., and leaders from Vizient highlights that hospitals and health systems have improved patient safety measures as they are caring for sicker patients.  
 
“In this cohort study of 715 US hospitals from 2019 to 2024, risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality declined significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming its prepandemic trajectory of improvement, while patient acuity as measured by CMI remained elevated,” the article states. “These findings suggest a new postpandemic baseline for patient acuity, whereas hospital mortality outcomes have returned to prior improvement trends.” 
 
The AHA and Vizient released a report in September 2024 highlighting hospitals’ efforts that have improved performance on key patient safety and quality measures. In addition, the groups released a report in August 2025 that showed better outcomes for hospitalized surgical patients.

Related News Articles

Headline
CDC informs clinicians of available testing for suspected hantavirus infection
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a Health Alert Network Health Update May 18 informing clinicians about testing available for patients…
Blog
Sutter Health strengthens maternal care through innovation and connection
High-quality maternal care is essential to protecting the health of both mom and baby during birth.Sutter Health is taking a proactive, systemwide approach to…
Headline
Report finds 359% rise in U.S. cases of dengue 
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released May 14 found that U.S.-reported dengue cases in 2024 increased 359% above the annual average from…
Headline
CDC says 41 across U.S. being monitored for hantavirus 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced May 14 that 41 people across the U.S. are being monitored for symptoms of hantavirus following an…
Headline
AHA Chair authors column in USA Today insert on advancing patient safety
USA Today published a column  by AHA Board Chair Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist, highlighting how hospitals and health systems…
Headline
FDA confirms safety of U.S. infant formula supply 
The Food and Drug Administration April 29 announced results from its testing of more than 300 infant formulas, finding that the majority of samples had…