Doug Bonacum of Kaiser Permanente Named to List of 50 Experts Leading the Field of Patient Safety

OAKLAND, Calif., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Doug Bonacum. vice president of Quality, Safety and Resource Management at Kaiser Permanente, was named one of "50 Experts Leading the Field of Patient Safety" by Becker's Hospital Review, a leading source of business and legal information on hospital and health system issues. The 50 experts include individuals at national organizations, universities, and health care organizations who are advocates for patient safety and are actively working to improve it.

"We are extremely pleased that Doug Bonacum received this well-deserved recognition. He consistently demonstrates and models a relentless commitment to 'do no harm,' safeguarding our patients and members," said Jed Weissberg, MD, senior vice president, Hospitals, Quality and Care Delivery Excellence, Kaiser Permanente. "His leadership has helped Kaiser Permanente build safer systems, processes and programs, making us one of the safest hospital systems in the nation."

Bonacum leads programs promoting and safeguarding quality and patient safety at Kaiser Permanente, where he has worked since 1994. As a founder of and instructor at Kaiser Permanente's Patient Safety University, and as a faculty member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Open School, he trains thousands of health care professionals on patient safety and risk management issues.

He is a member of the board of directors of the National Patient Safety Foundation, and in 2006, received the foundation's inaugural Chairman's Medal, which recognizes emerging leadership in patient safety.

Early in his career, Bonacum served on active duty for eight years in the U.S. Submarine Force, where he was responsible for ship and weapons' safety and nuclear power plant operations. He is a Certified Safety Professional and Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management, and has a BS in chemical engineering from the University of New Hampshire, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Certificate in Healthcare Management from the University of San Francisco.

For more information about the list of experts in patient safety and the other leaders named, visit http://www.beckersasc.com/lists/50-experts-leading-the-field-of-patient-safety.html?goback=%2Egde_2091781_member_229153811

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We serve over 9 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.

For more information:
Keith Paulsen: [email protected], tel: 510-625-5667

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente