Armstrong Institute Research

The Johns Hopkins University Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality (AI) is internationally recognized for its leadership and contribution to research. AI’s mission is to partner with patients, their loved ones, and all interested parties to end preventable harm, to continuously improve patient outcomes and experience, and to eliminate waste in health care. A distinguishing characteristic that has kept Johns Hopkins at the forefront of patient safety is the successful translation of research into operations and practice. 


About Us

two doctors looking at a computer

The Armstrong Institute is best known for its extensive work in the inpatient setting to reduce Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HACs), including central line associated blood stream infections, ventilator-associated events, surgical site infections, venous thromboembolism, delirium and muscular atrophy. We have also worked extensively in reducing and addressing diagnostic error and in improving patient engagement. Publications by AI researchers are among the most highly cited papers in the field. For example, a 2006 New England Journal paper on decreasing catheter-related blood stream infections has been cited over 4,100 times.

Ongoing work includes antibiotic stewardship in hospitals, primary care and nursing homes; early recovery after surgery; and peer assistance for second victims of error (traumatized providers after an error or stressful patient-related event).  Over the last several years, Armstrong Institute has expanded into new areas of research, including blood pressure control in primary care, errors in transitions to home health, patient-centeredness, health equity promotion and OB-GYN care.  We are viewed by our peer institutions as one of the pre-eminent patient safety research entities in the world.


Infection and Complication Reduction Projects

Systems Engineering in Health Care Projects

Health Information Technology

High Value Health Care

Project Dates: 2015–present
Academic medical centers across the country have joined Johns Hopkins Medicine in the High Value Practice Academic Research Alliance, a consortium working to advance high-value medical practice through research, innovation, collaboration and education. The highlight of this work is an annual High Value Practice Academic Research Alliance national research symposium.
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Safety and Quality Measurement Projects

Health Care Worker Performance and Well-Being Projects