Codifying knowledge to improve patient safety: A qualitative study of practice-based interventions

Source:  Social Science and Medicine 113 pp. 169-176

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Date of publication:  June 2014

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  Knowledge codification is the conversion of implicit or tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge so that it is effective for making change. Patient safety interventions were implemented by two NHS hospitals through the codification of knowledge. One hospital introduced a structured mortality review process and another hospital used a medication safety scorecard on a general medicine and elderly care ward. Codification helped staff learn about patient safety by structuring the sharing of tacit knowledge. Good organisational governance and support is needed to help translate knowledge across levels.

Length of Publication:  8 pages

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