The Certified Patient Safety Officer (CPSO): A Professional Credential That Could Help Change Healthcare Cultures

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Board for Certification of Safety Managers (also known as the BCHCM), is a not-for-profit professional credentialing organization that issues three healthcare safety related credentials including the CHSP and CHEP. The other credential, established in 2006, is the Certified Patient Safety Officer (CPSO) designation. CPSO candidates come from a variety of backgrounds but all have one thing in common -- they want to make a difference in the area of patient safety. The U.S. has made some progress in the area of patient safety over the past ten years. However, some recent reports indicate a need for more to be done and in a timely manner. The CPSO credential is not another risk management or quality designation. We do not compete with existing professional certifications in the areas of facility or environmental safety, healthcare risk management, quality management, or infection control but view those areas as complementary to the CPSO designation. The exam focuses on real-world situations and not just theory.

The Board's philosophy is a simple one -- healthcare organizations must learn to view patient safety as an organizational function and never just another departmental program. The Board also encourages the use of system methods to integrate patient safety processes in complex healthcare organizations. Contrary to the views of some professionals, hospitals operate as "open systems" with some "closed or high-reliability" subsystems. Patient safety leaders must realize the positive impact that effective communication, real-world education, system thinking, and safety culture development can have on the future of patient safety. Healthcare professionals currently holding the CHSP, CPHRM, CIC, or CHPQ designations automatically qualify to sit for the CPSO Exam. CPSO candidates officially serving as the appointed Patient Safety Officer for their organization also qualify. Other candidates eligible to take the exam are those with experience in safety, inflection control, nursing, risk management, quality, administration, and those holding a medical or other healthcare license. The latter group includes allied health professionals, pharmacists, and physicians.

The CPSO exam focuses on topics such as culture, communication, patient safety goals, sound care practices, and coordination of patient safety-related initiatives. The exam assesses a candidate's comprehension and application of the key concepts necessary to lead, coordinate, develop, implement, or support patient safety programs. The exam is not considered "clinical" in content but does address key clinical patient safety challenges. Candidates for certification must pass a closed book exam of 110 to 125 multiple choice questions depending on the exam version.  

Candidates for certification can prepare for the exam on their own, by registering for a self-directed study program, or by attending a CPSO Prep Session conducted by an independent trainer. For information on prep sessions being conducted on September 18-19 and December 11-12, 2010 in the Miami area, please contact Marie-Michelle Rousseau, LHRM, CPSO, Risk Manager for St. Catherine's Rehabilitation Hospital, at (305) 891-8850 ext: 5244 or (305) 891-3361. The CPSO self-study materials are available from the Board for an additional charge. Self-study materials include a focused study guide, multiple choice practice test, and the book entitled To Do No Harm (Morath and E. Turnbull). For additional self-study information, contact Jim at [email protected].

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SOURCE International Board for Certification of Safety Managers