Patient safety in mental health has only recently been considered and there is a lack of information to guide patient safety systems, practices policies, and care delivery for mental health. Recognizing this knowledge gap, and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) collaborated and commissioned a team from British Columbia Mental Health and Addiction Services (BCMHAS) to prepare a research paper which defines the patient safety issues unique to mental health care in Canada.

Together with a pan-Canadian Advisory Committee, the OHA and CPSI engaged experts and stakeholders from across Canada and internationally to contribute their expertise and advice throughout the research process. The findings highlight the important challenges and opportunities for improving patient safety in mental health related to planning and policy, practice and research, and are intended to promote the development of strategies and activities at national, provincial/territorial and local levels.

This paper is the “first of its kind” in Canada and will help your efforts to improve the safety and quality of care for all mental health patients. Please read this important patient safety document and share with your colleagues.

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