The perfect storm: patient safety and nursing shortages within the context of health policy and evidence-based practice.

Dr. Ada Sue Hinshaw stepped down from her deanship at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, leading to a conference in honor of her legacy held in May 2006. The topic of the conference highlighted Dr. Hinshaw's accomplishments in the area of health policy and patient safety. The proceedings of the afternoon included four presentations. The common themes of the presentations incorporated the importance of public policy for patient safety, the need for health systems reforms, and the use of appropriate evidence-based practice to advance the nursing sciences. These and other perspectives of the speakers are discussed within the context of the broad categories of system reform, contributions from nursing research, and health policy focus. Finally, recommendations were given for the preferred future.