Pulse has been a community-based patient safety organization for more than 25 years. It was the first of its kind, helping patients and their families prepare to enter the healthcare system, equipped to enable the best possible outcomes. When we started in 1996 as a support group for survivors of medical injury, deaths from medical errors numbered 98,000 a year according to the Institute of Medicine report led by Dr. Lucian Leape.

Later, the numbers were 250,000 from a study at Johns Hopkins making medical errors the third leading cause of death in the United States. Another report brought the numbers to over 400,000.

In 2002, I was invited to become a board member with the National Patient Safety Foundation, which was started by the American Medical Association because of the growing concern about medical errors. I stayed with them until they merged with the Institute of Healthcare Improvement in 2017. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/issue/national-patient-safety-foundation In 2005 I became a board member of The Joint Commission, which accredits nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs, ensuring they meet a series of quality and performance standards. I stayed there until 2018.

In 2006, I asked many of the medical professionals supporting patient safety if they would write a chapter for our book Family Centered Patient Advocacy, telling the family of the patient (not the patient) how to help the patient to get the best possible outcomes in care. After all, these are the people who acknowledged medical errors and patient safety was a national problem. This book then became the groundwork for our training by the same name.  We partnered with medical professionals and community members to develop an interactive training that started with 4 hours, then expanded to 9 hours then 12 hours. In March 2024 we will be holding this program over two days.

Join us on March 14^th and 15^th 2024 and be part of the solution as a patient’s support person, patient advocate or even a patient. No matter how much training you have had, you have never had it like this!

Learn more and register here

Diagnostic errors linked to nearly 800,000 deaths or cases of permanent disability in US each year, study estimates Diagnostic errors linked to nearly 800,000 deaths or cases of permanent disability in US each year, study estimates | CNN

Approximately 1.3 million people are injured annually in the United States following so-called "medication errors" The Most Common Medication Errors by MedicineNet.com

See more on the new Pulse CPSEA Resource page: One is a Number

In this series of brief chats with the members of Pulse, we spoke to Kathy Casale.

Pulse: Kathy, what is your role at Pulse?

KC: I am a Board member and avid supporter.

Pulse: What’s your profession apart from serving on the Pulse Board?

KC: I’m the owner of Sea Star Strategy, which provides digital and traditional marketing for emerging and established businesses.

Pulse: How long have you been involved with Pulse?

KC: I’ve known about Pulse for about seven years, and I’ve been actively involved for 18 months.

Pulse: And why are you involved?

KC: The Pulse mission has never been more important than it is today. I have respected Ilene Corina and the Pulse mission since the day I met her.

Pulse: What is it about that mission that you think people should know about?

KC: If you have not already had the need for Pulse services or suggestions, you most likely will at some point, for yourself or a loved one. 

   Two years ago, during the height of COVID, my husband had a brain bleed which yielded a clot the size of a golf ball. The initial prognosis was dim. Thanks to the talented and wonderful surgeon and Pulse guidance, he has gotten through this ordeal with almost no residual effects. Since this happened in the middle of COVID and I was not allowed access to the hospital to be by his side, Pulse guided me in the best way to handle the situation. I believe without that guidance, my husband would not have had the vigilant care required to bring him through this medical emergency successfully.

START WITH FREE PULSE PROGRAMS AND BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT!

Patient Activation through Community Conversations (PACC) is a program where people share their experiences so others can take away important information that would be of benefit to a caregiver or someone recently receiving a new diagnosis or entering the healthcare system. PACC encourages finding solutions through what has worked for others. 

Next PACC is Wednesday, January 3, 2024   

People for Patient Safety (PPS)

The mix of healthcare professionals and patient advocates makes this program supportive, engaging and educational. PPS is for networking and to build resources and support as an advocate and/or caregiver. PPS is the second Monday of the month 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

The Advocates Collaborative Educational Series (ACES) is a national online program where patient advocates — independent, professional or family caregivers — can learn and grow through educational programs designed to engage participants in thought-provoking exercises.  ACES is the fourth Monday of the month at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Early bird rates through February 12th 2024

Like what we do? You can help. Pulse is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety through advocacy, education and support. Donations are tax deductible. Donate or volunteer!

All programs of Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy are about people who may become patients or support patients. Even if you work in healthcare, you may someday be a patient or find yourself advocating for a loved one. Because medical errors are a leading cause of death in the United States, we at Pulse recognize the need for the patient and family to take some responsibility for their own safety. For that reason, all of our programs help to prepare people to become more informed and involved! Visit and learn more here.

Do you and your family want to discuss roles as support for each other? At Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy, we help people who care about each other, care for each other. Consider a free 30-minute consultation about what you can do to help each other. Contact Pulse at (516) 579-4711 or e-mail icorina@pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org