Patient Safety Awareness Week slated for March 8-14

  • Published
  • By Tina R. Whitby
  • 66th Medical Squadron Patient Safety Program Manager
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The 66th Medical Squadron will recognize the Patient Safety Awareness Week campaign March 8-14 to promote health care safety to the community. The theme for this year's campaign is "United in Safety."

The clinic will engage staff, patients and the community through educational and awareness-building activities specific to patient safety science and practice.

In addition, throughout the week, visitors to the clinic will find displays with tips, tools and promotional items designed to promote health and encourage communication with provider teams.  

The theme highlights how participants in the health care process play a role in delivering safe care and that by uniting together and sharing that common goal, a difference in patient safety can be attained.

"NPSF is very focused on bringing all stakeholders together to help advance patient safety," said NPSF President and CEO Tejal K. Gandhi. "The year's theme reflects the need to continue to raise awareness of patient safety among those working in health care settings as well as among patients, families, and the general public."

He adds that NPSF is putting a particular emphasis this year on efforts to increase patient engagement; health care professionals, researchers and policy makers must partner with patients to achieve the safest care.

The focus of this year's campaign is patient engagement and emphasizes the importance of the relationship between providers and patients and their families. Enhanced communication begins with an informed and engaged patient and helps to lead to safer care.

As a patient, NPSF suggests taking the following steps to help make a health care experience safer.

Step 1:  Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your health and treatment. 

Step 2:  Keep a list of all of the medications you take to include over the counter medications, herbal supplements, energy enhancers and dietary aids.

Step 3:  Make sure you get the results of any test procedure. 

Step 4:  Talk with your medical provider and health care team about your options if you need hospital care.

Step 5:  Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery.

For additional information on Patient Safety Awareness Week, visit www.npsf.org/psaw or contact the Patient Safety Program Manager at 781-225-4149 or by email at tina.whitby.ctr@us.af.mil.