To increase the board of directors' engagement in patient safety, structuring the board agenda to give quality and safety the same amount of attention as financial issues is the most effective method. This ensures that patient safety is a priority at the highest level of organizational governance, signaling its importance to the entire organization. It also provides the board with regular, detailed updates on safety initiatives, outcomes, and areas needing attention.

Fostering teamwork and communication (A): While important, this approach is more relevant to operational levels rather than engaging the board directly.

Focusing on improvement projects important to the medical staff (C): This can enhance engagement, but broader board engagement is better achieved through strategic prioritization of quality and safety.

Guiding them through a recent FMEA (D): This is valuable for education, but not as impactful for ongoing engagement compared to consistently prioritizing safety on the board's agenda.

References

NAHQ Body of Knowledge: Governance and Leadership in Quality Improvement

NAHQ CPHQ Exam Preparation Materials: Board Engagement in Quality and Safety

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