Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual, National Patient Safety Foundation led education and awareness campaign for health care safety. Each year, health care organizations internationally take part in the event to raise awareness of patient safety issues and to create lasting partnerships among providers, patients and communities.
Visibility, awareness and participation at all levels of the health care system and within the community are critical to improving patient safety. That’s why every year the National Patient Safety Foundation leads hospitals and health care organizations around the world in demonstrating their commitment to patient safety by celebrating Patient Safety Awareness Week.
This year’s campaign asks the question “Are You In?”
Involved: Are you actively engaged in your health care?
— Protect yourself from infections: Wash your hands often.
— Manage your medications: Keep a list of your medications, including herbals and over-the counter medications, and review the list with your health care provider. Learn the names of your medications and why you are taking them.
Informed: Do you understand your diagnosis or condition and what you need to do to improve your health?
— Understand health care instructions: Know what you need to do before and after a health care visit.
— Ask questions when you don’t understand something that a member of your health care team has told you.
— Do not be afraid to ask questions.
Invested: Are you committed to dedicating time, energy and resources to improving your health?
— Know your diagnosis and condition and understand what it means for you and your family.
— Know the potential complications and who to call if you need help.
— Follow-up care: Know who your primary care provider is.
— Schedule and attend follow-up health care visits.
— Let your health care providers know if you have been in the hospital, and make sure they have all your important records.
— Educate yourself about what you need to do and why you need to do it.
Being committed to and involved in your health care is the key to staying healthy.
Rebecca J. Densmore is program manager of quality and regulatory management at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.