Patient safety courses can help you learn risk assessment, incident reporting, root cause analysis, and effective communication strategies. You can build skills in developing safety protocols, conducting safety audits, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. Many courses introduce tools like incident management systems and safety culture assessments, that support applying these skills in healthcare settings.

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Patient Safety, Design Thinking, Change Management, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Leadership, Conflict Management, Performance Measurement, Systems Thinking, Healthcare Project Management, Solution Design, Health Systems, Data Analysis, Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA), Value-Based Care, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Quality Improvement, Risk Management, Initiative and Leadership, Data Analysis Software, Patient-centered Care
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Patient Safety, Systems Thinking, Health Systems, Safety Standards, Safety Training, Health Care, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Health Care Administration, Quality Improvement, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Problem Management, Risk Analysis
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Pharmacology, Pharmaceuticals, Patient Safety, Clinical Research, Medical Prescription, Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Regulatory Compliance, Health Policy, Continuous Monitoring, Public Health, Event Monitoring, Risk Analysis
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Patient Safety, Patient-centered Care, Accident Prevention, Collaboration, Safety Standards, Teamwork, Patient Advocacy, Stress First Aid, Healthcare Ethics, Accountability, Risk Management, Leadership, Communication
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Lecturio
Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Patient Communication, Active Listening, Advocacy, Rapport Building, Conflict Management, Teamwork, Interpersonal Communications, Communication Strategies, Collaboration, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Nursing and Patient Care, Diversity Awareness, Empathy, Communication, Workplace inclusivity
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

The George Washington University
Skills you'll gain: Patient Safety, Clinical Leadership, Health Care Administration, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Health Policy, Health Information Management, Health Care, Healthcare Ethics, Health Equity, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Systems Thinking, Collaboration
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Healthcare Project Management, Solution Design, Quality Improvement, Patient Flow, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Patient Safety, Creative Problem-Solving, Innovation, Brainstorming, Project Management, User Centered Design, Collaboration
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Patient Safety, Performance Measurement, Data Analysis, Value-Based Care, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Data Analysis Software, Health Policy, Data Quality, Descriptive Statistics, Data Integration, Statistical Inference
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Illinois Tech
Skills you'll gain: Clinical Informatics, Data Ethics, Health Informatics, Responsible AI, Electronic Medical Record System, Health Care, Health Technology, Clinical Data Management, Healthcare Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Decision Support Systems, Machine Learning, Data Quality, Generative AI
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Patient Safety, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Healthcare Project Management, Safety Standards, Patient Education and Support, Intensive Care Unit, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Risk Management, Infection Control, Teamwork
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Continuous Monitoring, Medical Privacy, Risk Management, Health Information Management, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Risk Mitigation, Information Privacy, Security Management, Risk Analysis, Patient Safety, Personally Identifiable Information, Information Systems Security, Security Controls, Data Security, Regulatory Compliance, Threat Modeling, Vulnerability Assessments
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

MedCerts
Skills you'll gain: Patient Communication, Patient-centered Care, Nutrition Education, Basic Patient Care, Patient Education And Counseling, Vital Signs, Patient Evaluation, Health Assessment, Nursing and Patient Care, Patient Observation, Health And Wellness Coaching, Medical History Documentation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Patient safety refers to the prevention of errors and adverse effects associated with healthcare. It is crucial because it directly impacts the quality of care patients receive and their overall health outcomes. Ensuring patient safety helps to build trust in healthcare systems, reduces the risk of harm, and promotes a culture of continuous improvement in healthcare practices.
Careers in patient safety can vary widely, including roles such as patient safety officer, quality improvement coordinator, healthcare risk manager, and clinical safety analyst. These positions often focus on developing and implementing safety protocols, analyzing data to identify areas for improvement, and collaborating with healthcare teams to enhance patient care.
To work effectively in patient safety, you should develop skills in data analysis, risk management, communication, and teamwork. Understanding healthcare regulations and quality improvement methodologies is also essential. Additionally, familiarity with healthcare IT systems can enhance your ability to implement safety measures effectively.
Some of the best online courses for patient safety include the Patient Safety Specialization, which covers various aspects of safety in healthcare settings, and courses like 'Setting the Stage for Success: An Eye on Safety Culture and Teamwork (Patient Safety II)' that focus on building a safety culture within teams.
Yes. You can start learning patient safety on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in patient safety, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
Typical topics covered in patient safety courses include risk assessment, safety culture, quality improvement strategies, error reporting systems, and the implementation of safety protocols. These courses often emphasize the importance of teamwork and communication in promoting a safe healthcare environment.
For training and upskilling employees in patient safety, courses like 'Implementing a Patient Safety or Quality Improvement Project (Patient Safety V)' and 'Measuring the Success of a Patient Safety or Quality Improvement Project (Patient Safety VI)' are particularly beneficial. They provide practical insights and tools for enhancing safety practices in healthcare settings.