Patients urged to be part of the hospital safety team

Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient Safety Foundation. The theme for March 4-10, 2012, is Be Aware for Safe Care, reflecting the need to involve everyone–from patients to providers–in ensuring the safety of our health care process.

During your hospital visit, our medical providers and hospital staff do everything they can to insure your safety and well-being. Don’t forget that you, too, are an important member of the team. Informed and involved patients play a crucial role in protecting their own safety.

At Whitman Hospital and Medical Center, we have implemented bedside reporting for our inpatients. This allows the patients to hear the plan of care for the next shift and to raise any questions they may have. We also encourage patients and family members to speak up if they do not see their caregivers or medical staff providers cleanse their hands before or after their interaction with them. In fact, we encourage questions from patients on any topic they are worried about or if they simply need more information.

A few things you can also do to take charge of your own care and safety include:

Bring your medical information with you (your history, immunizations, allergies, medications, etc.), don’t go alone (take someone with you), learn about your choices (research your illness/condition, ask questions about your treatment options, etc.), talk openly (answer questions truthfully, provide information you think may be important, report anything unusual or worrisome), ask questions, especially about medications, if something such as dosage doesn’t seem right.

We pride ourselves on providing a safe, positive patient experience. It takes the team to make this happen. That team includes you. More information from the NPSF can be found at http://www.npsf.org/for-patients-consumers.

Debbie Glass, CEO

Whitman Hospital & Medical Center