Be A Participant in Patient Safety Awareness Week
March 10th - March 16th 2002



Consumers and healthcare providers must work together to reduce the rate of
medical errors. The Institute of Medicine has reported that 44,000 - 98,000
deaths resulting from medical errors occur each year; more deaths than are
caused by breast cancer,AIDS or auto accidents combined. The goal of Patient
Safety Awareness Week is to promote education and communication about patient
safety, and partnerships between patients and healthcare providers to improve
safety. Good partnerships must start sometime –
Let them start now!

CONSUMERS:

· Set aside a day during Patient Safety Awareness Week to empty out
cabinets of old medications and check that your most recent
medications are up to date.
· Check your prescriptions twice and ask your pharmacist questions.
· If you are not satisfied with your doctor, discuss this with him or her,
or consider finding a provider with whom you can communicate effectively.
· If you have avoided going for healthcare because of fear of the unknown,
make your appointment for this week.
· Bring a friend or family member to the doctor to help ask questions, and
help you listen.
· Learn about your own health issues – become an informed consumer.


HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS:

· Distribute handouts on healthcare safety, as offered at www.AHRQ.gov.
· Tell your patients that you are participating in Patient Safety Awareness
Week 2002 .
· Help consumers to "partner" with their physician in their healthcare.
· Show public service announcements that stimulate dialogue.
· Encourage families to get involved with each other's healthcare.
· Encourage communication and dialogue between patient and healthcare
providers.
· Use short questionnaires to learn your patients needs and concerns.
· Host an open house to meet new patients and family members, or get to
know better your current patients

Sample handouts and flyers may be obtained by contacting PULSE of New York.

Please share YOUR ideas for other activities to promote patient safety during
Patient Safety Awareness Week 2002.

For more information, contact:
Ilene Corina, Director, PULSE of New York, Inc.
(Persons United Limiting Substandards and Errors in Healthcare)
(516) 579-4711
or
Mark Graber, MD, FACP Chief Medical Service, VAMC Northport, NY
(631) 754-7907

Endorsed by:
VA Medical Center, Northport NY
P.U.L.S.E. of NY
Nassau/Suffolk OB/GYN
Harry Woodrow, DDS