The National Patient Safety Goals were created to primarily focus on what aspect?

The National Patient Safety Goals were developed with the primary intention of improving patient safety within healthcare settings. The overarching objective is to reduce the incidence of events that can lead to patient harm, such as medication errors, inadequate communication, and infections related to healthcare procedures.

These goals provide a framework for healthcare organizations to implement effective safety measures and protocols, thereby fostering a culture of safety and accountability in healthcare delivery. By concentrating on aspects like accurate patient identification, communication improvement, and medication reconciliation, these goals emphasize preventive strategies to enhance the overall safety of patients in various medical environments.

While the other aspects mentioned—healthcare costs, patient satisfaction, and staff training—are important in healthcare, they are not the primary focus of the National Patient Safety Goals. Instead, these goals specifically target the cornerstone of patient welfare: ensuring that patients receive safe, effective care without the risk of harm during their treatment.