TALLAHASSEE - Medical errors account for more deaths in America than breast cancer, AIDS, or car accidents annually. Taking charge in improving patient safety and the patient/provider relationship, the Florida Patient Safety Corporation is sponsoring Patient Safety Awareness until March 10. This informative campaign is directed toward patients and healthcare providers, working to develop a more interactive relationship, as well as teaching patients to be more proactive with their healthcare.
"We are dedicated to continuous improvement in patient safety in the state," said Susan Moore, president of Florida Patient Safety Corporation. "Providing information to both patients and providers about medical well-being are the key components to Patient Safety Awareness Week."
Patient Safety Awareness tips enhance the quality of patient care and protection are provided at FloridaPatientSafetyCorp.com. Healthcare providers and patients should routinely practice the following tips to reduce medical errors and costs. Patients and providers can visit the Web site throughout the year for insights on patient safety and the patient-provider relationship.
Tips for Patients:
- Prepare a "Health Profile". Write down your medical conditions, allergies and medications including prescription and over-the-counter medicine, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
- When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.
- Write down questions and concerns you want to share with your doctor before you go to your appointment. Once you are there it is easy to forget some of them.
- If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many patients have the procedure or surgery you need.
- If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor and your surgeon all agree on what that surgery is and are clear on exactly what will be done. Take notes or tape record your conversations so you can review the details later.
-
Tips for Providers:
- Hold an open house, brown bag lunch, or round table discussion for patients and families with a patient safety topic of discussion.
- Invite patients to bring in their medications for review by their prescriber or pharmacist.
- Conduct a survey of staff about their safety concerns and recommendations.
- Include patient safety in all health professional school curricula.
- Bring in a patient/family speaker to speak to staff about an experience with a medical error and about prevention.
- Establish a Patient and Family Advisory Council in your hospital.
