What does CUS stand for in patient safety communications?

• A. I am Concerned, I am Uncomfortable, there is a Safety issue
• B. I am Curious, I am Uncertain, there is a Safety threat
• C. I am Cautious, I am Uneasy, there is a Safety risk
• D. I am Concerned, I am Comfortable, there is a Safety issue

Answer: (A)

In patient safety communications, CUS is a concise, standardized way to voice concerns and prompt escalation when something may impact safety. It combines three parts: you state you are concerned, you state you are uncomfortable, and you explicitly say there is a safety issue. This phrasing communicates both your personal stance and a concrete problem, which helps others recognize the seriousness and take action quickly. The accepted wording uses “I am concerned, I am uncomfortable, there is a safety issue,” which is why this option is the best fit. Other variants lose the clear escalation cue or use different terms (like curious or uncertain, or safety threat/risk) that don’t align with the established, straightforward escalation pattern.