Using the SAFE Framework to Facilitate a Safety Culture

The Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Florida is an Approved Provider in Continuing Education (#5208) by The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.  

Instructor:  Emily S. Pugh, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA

Contributor: George Hack, PhD

Based on the People-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model and evidence-based human factors principles, the SAFE framework offers a structured approach to clinically reason a safe practice routine for students and practitioners. This course presents the background of the program and the critical reasoning framework itself. It describes how teaching methodology based in adult learning theory was used to positively change safety behaviors and facilitate culture change. Results from the program outcomes study are reviewed.

Target Audience:

Occupational therapy and other health care professional practitioners, educators, supervisors, managers

Educational Level

Intermediate: Course content is appropriate for practitioners with a general working knowledge of current clinical practice, which may occur in a variety of settings. Focus is on increasing understanding and competent application of the subject matter.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Use the SAFE framework as a resource for teaching students and practitioners to clinically reason safe practice behaviors and routines in diverse work settings
• Integrate the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model, human factors principles, and adult learning theory to create a culture of safe practice
• Examine how preliminary outcome data from the SAFE initiative was used to improve a culture of safe practice

AOTA Classification Codes

• Category 2: Occupational Therapy Process – Outcomes: Occupational performance
• Category 3: Professional Issues – Supervision: Competence

Completion Requirements

0.1 AOTA CEUs (1 Contact Hour for State of Florida Occupational Therapy practitioners) will be awarded upon a successful completion of a multiple choice post-test. Participants will be able to print a certificate of completion after completing a short course evaluation in addition to the post-test. The UF Occupational Therapy Department will enter the Contact Hour into the CEBroker database for Florida licensed occupational therapy practitioners: Florida CEBroker tracking #