Striving for an error-free environment, even under complex and chaotic circumstances, is key to patient safety. High-reliability organizations are often characterized by their ability to achieve and maintain exemplary levels of safety despite inherent risks. Complementary to instituting high-reliability principles is the adoption of the just culture model, which addresses system fallibility. It defines and categorizes human behavior, along with appropriate behavior management and corrective responses, regardless of the patient outcome.

Some EQIC hospitals may be familiar with the foundations of high reliability and just culture, inclusive of developing a leadership commitment to zero harm, establishing a positive safety culture and instituting a robust process improvement culture. EQIC’s virtual conference, Advancing healthcare excellence: The power of high reliability and just culture to improve patient safety, seeks to empower hospitals with the concepts of high reliability and just culture to positively impact patient safety, staff satisfaction and clinical and operational outcomes.