Take Part in National Patient Safety Awareness Week

Patient Safety Awareness Week, a national education and awarenessbuilding campaign for improving patient safety, is March 4 through 10. As a patient, you are a member of a healthcare team. As part of this team, you play an important role in your safety when receiving healthcare either in a hospital or clinic.

Opportunities for You

During Patient Safety Awareness Week, you can learn how to:

• Become more involved in your healthcare
• Be an active member of your healthcare team
• Report an error within your healthcare system

You should also take these steps to help protect you and your family from harm:

• Rid your medicine cabinet of old or expired medications.
• Bring medications to your doctor or pharmacist for review.
• Obtain copies of all your healthcare records and keep them in a safe place.
• Write down all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, including doses and any allergies. Carry this list everywhere.
• Write down and carry with you the names and numbers of all your healthcare providers and pharmacies.
• Identify an advocate — a loved one who can accompany you to your healthcare appointments and ask questions on your behalf.
• Talk with your loved ones about your preferences for healthcare, in case you become unable to speak for yourself.

Communication Is Key

Bring up these issues with your healthcare providers:

• Ask your hospital or healthcare professional about patient safety and how communication and partnership between you and your providers can be improved.
• Ask your hospital or healthcare organization what it is doing for Patient Safety Awareness Week. Attend events to learn more about patient safety.
• Communicate with your providers about your healthcare concerns.
• Let your healthcare providers know whom they should speak to in case you are unable to speak for yourself.

Reach Out to the Community

You can also organize events or other activities through your local hospital or community group to share information about patient safety and medical error prevention.

Visit www.deancare.com to learn more about patient-safety initiatives, or call a Customer Service Representative at 608-828-1301 or 800-279-1301.

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