HLTH5610 (Patient Safety Science) course reviews and ratings at Northeastern (NEU). Compare professors with RateMyProfessor reviews.
Examines healthcare as a high-risk industry, where complex healthcare systems attempt to meet the complex needs of diverse patients. Introduces the many drivers that influence the design and evolution of healthcare systems, particularly patient safety, which until recently was not typically recognized as one of these design drivers. Expands on the concept of complex systems theory and introduces the concept of high reliability organizations (HROs) and how they approach safety. Examines engineering strategies from HROs by studying how healthcare systems should adapt and retrofit to create safer systems of care delivery. Compares the challenges of improving patient safety at the system vs. the microsystem level. Examines diverse error-reducing strategies.
Data updated October 2026.