In an effort to encourage more communication between the patient and healthcare provider, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority sponsored a poster campaign giving healthcare providers and patients information on how they can be more engaged with each other in honor of National Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 4-10).

This year’s theme “Be Aware for Safe Care” was incorporated into the Authority’s message for the posters. The Authority partnered with the National Patient Safety Foundation, sponsors of Patient Safety Awareness Week, to emphasize the importance of communication.

“Patient Safety Awareness Week is a great opportunity to remind healthcare providers, patients and their families, about the importance of engaging in conversation about healthcare issues,” Mike Doering, executive director of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority said. “I think too often everyone is in a hurry, whether it be the patient who wants to get out of the hospital or the healthcare provider who wants to move onto the next patient.

“This poster campaign is meant to foster the relationship between patient and provider so that both are pleased with the outcome of their healthcare experience,” Doering added.

The Authority sent posters to all hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers (ASFs) in Pennsylvania. One poster titled “Healthcare Provider Strategies for Promoting Safe Care” gives healthcare providers information on what they can do to improve their relationship with the patient. The poster encourages healthcare workers to report patient safety events and encourage patients to ask questions. Patient Safety Officers (PSOs) are encouraged to display the posters in clinical staff areas.

A second poster titled “Healthcare Consumer Strategies for Promoting Safe Care” encourages patients and consumers to participate in their healthcare by knowing their medical history and bringing someone with them to help listen to medical advice. PSOs are encouraged to display the consumer strategies poster in their waiting rooms.

Doering said several facilities requested additional posters (over 200) to promote the message throughout their facilities’ clinical and consumer areas.

“More and more studies show how important patient participation is when using the healthcare system,” Doering said. “Patient Safety Awareness Week has allowed us to emphasize that partnership and its importance.”

During Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Authority will host several informative presentations throughout Pennsylvania’s healthcare facilities. The Authority will also present consumer tip information in the Pennsylvania Capitol Monday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 7.

To view the consumer tips, go to the Authority’s website at www.patientsafetyauthority.org and click on “Patients and Consumers.” To view the posters given to the healthcare facilities to raise patient safety awareness, go to the consumer’s web page and click on “Brochures.”

Patient Safety Awareness Week is a national observance sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) as an education and awareness-building campaign for improving patient safety at the local level. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Be Aware for Safe Care.”

NPSF has made available literature, videos, handouts and other materials to assist healthcare institutions and professionals in encouraging patients to become more actively involved in their healthcare. For more information on Patient Safety Awareness Week, go to www.npsf.org.

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