QI Tools: Epidemiology Basics – Application of Epidemiological Tools to Patient Safety and Quality [1, 2]

Abstract

Patient safety refers to freedom from accidental or preventable injuries produced by medical care. This chapter aims to provide a brief introduction to epidemiology basics and outline their application to patient safety via a clinical example.

“Epidemiology” is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. Epidemiological tools play a critical role in patient safety and quality management implementation by allowing for a strategy for formulation of a study question, risk prediction, risk assessment, and an objective evaluation of the difference of an intervention in improving the safety outcomes. We will begin by reviewing some basic concepts in epidemiology.