December 18, 1998: Eleanor M. Vogt, National Patient Safety Foundation

In considering the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research's request for comments on Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics, the National Patient Safety Foundation recommends the following planned activity:

• In the discussion of prevention of adverse effects of drugs, biological products and devices, and the consequences of such effects, such as increased a hospital stays and total patient outcomes, it is necessary to examine the research question, what is the direct cost of error to the patient? To the patient's family? To the patient's employer? To the provider? To third-party payers? What is the indirect cost of error to the patient? To the patient's family? To the patient's employer? To the provider? To third-party payers?
• How do we determine if such costs negatively impact on insurance premiums and HMO membership fees to the detriment of corporate payers and private persons (e.g. move beyond silo measurement mentality). These costs must be measured in terms of the individual and aggregate effects on the various actors.

Eleanor M. Vogt, R.Ph., Ph.D.
National Patient Safety Foundation
1101 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 789-7440
Fax: (202) 789-4580
evogt@compuserve.com

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