Complications can cause extra pain and suffering for hospital patients. But complications also cost the health system money. New Grattan Institute work shows big savings would be made if all hospitals in Australia could lift their safety performance to match the best 10 per cent of hospitals. In this presentation, Grattan’s Health Program Director Stephen Duckett identifies policy reforms that could improve patient care and boost the bottom line. In particular, Australia should rethink the way it grants accreditation to hospitals, because the current system does not improve patient outcomes, provides no incentives to hospitals and doctors for excellent safety performance, and accreditation reports are kept secret.