In response to the July 1 Tribune editorial, "Too Many Errors," I feel it is important to set the record straight regarding the efforts by hospitals to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety.

Utah's hospitals acknowledge the importance of reporting medical mistakes and recognize that reporting is a vital first step in identifying and correcting errors. However, patient safety experts agree that it is important to provide a blame-free environment for the reporting of errors, without fear of reprisal.

Making patient safety information identifiable by hospital will only discourage reporting. Having this data available in a blame-free environment is essential to the development of best practices. We know this approach works from the experience of other industries, such as the aviation sector. Public "scolding" just doesn't work in identifying and fixing errors.

While we agree that even one medical mistake is one too many, to imply that hospitals are not following best practices and are not "learning from their mistakes" is misleading. Guidance and regulation from entities such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Joint Commission and the Utah Department of Health require hospitals to follow best practices in a variety of areas. The Utah Patient Safety Steering Committee, made up of representatives from the provider community as well as HealthInsight and the Department of Health, also reviews best practice models and shares them with providers. In addition, many health care systems in Utah have developed their own best practice models and often share those resources with other facilities in an effort to improve care.

We are fortunate to live in a state where the health care community works collaboratively on issues such as patient safety and quality. This collaboration has made Utah a national leader in patient safety efforts. While there is always room for improvement, to imply that hospitals are "failing to change procedures" is unfair.

Health care is complex, with overlapping systems and stakeholders, and the opportunity for error is naturally high. In addition, each patient brings a unique set of circumstances to the operating room, making it virtually impossible to assure that the same outcome will happen for "Tom" as it did with "Dick" and "Harry."

Because of the complexity of the health care system, we fully support The Tribune 's call for the increased use of best practice models. Following best practices not only provides a standardized approach to health care across a broad spectrum of providers, it offers an opportunity to reduce unneeded procedures and costs.

Joseph M. Krella is president and CEO of Utah Hospitals and Health Systems Association.