Patient Safety Authority Supports 'National Patient S...( The Authority offers patients con...),Health

The Authority offers patients consumers tips and encourages them to

'Speak Up'(TM) for improved patient safety

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority today supports "National Patient Safety Day" which is a national effort to encourage patients and their families to participate fully in their healthcare by asking questions and learning everything they can about their surgery or illness.

"We understand the important role the patient has in preventing medical errors by participating in their own healthcare," Mike Doering, executive director of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority said. "We've received reports of harm being prevented because a patient or family member spoke up and asked a question or provided additional information."

The Authority encourages patients to participate in their own healthcare by following guidance in "Consumer Tip" sheets. The tip sheets provide information on how patients can help reduce the risk of medical mistakes occurring to them while they are being treated in the healthcare arena. The consumer tips are based upon real life medical errors that have either occurred or were prevented in Pennsylvania healthcare facilities and published in Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisories.

Topics of the consumer tips include how to prevent: infections, wrong-site surgery, falls and medication errors. The tips also give patients information on the importance of knowing their medical history, knowing what to expect when taking antibiotics and the real risks associated with pregnancy and x-rays.

Patients and their loved ones are also encouraged to participate in their healthcare by "speaking up" or asking questions and providing any additional information that may be helpful in treating them. The Authority re-published "Speak Up"(TM): Help Prevent Errors in Your Care," brochure originally published by The Joint Commission that gives consumers us
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