HARRISBURG: In an effort to encourage each healthcare worker in Pennsylvania’s healthcare facilities to make a personal commitment to patient safety, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has begun an “I am Patient Safety” campaign during National Patient Safety Awareness Week March 3-9.
This year’s theme “7/365:7 days of recognition, 365 days of commitment to safe care” coincides well with the Authority’s effort to participate with the National Patient Safety Foundation to raise awareness of patient safety issues.
In February, the Authority distributed “I am Patient Safety” posters to all Pennsylvania hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, abortion facilities and birthing centers. On the posters is a checklist of what healthcare personnel can do individually to promote a culture of safety and/or improve patient safety in their facility. One checklist item reads, “When I see something happen that can lead to patient harm, I voice my concerns.”
The posters are accompanied by “I am Patient Safety” pins that should be given to recognize those individuals (CEOs, housekeeping staff, physicians, nurses, aides, etc.) within Pennsylvania healthcare facilities that are helping to improve patient safety.
“Patient Safety Awareness Week is a great opportunity for the Authority to recognize healthcare workers’ personal commitment to patient safety so they can serve as a role model and mentor for others,” Fran Charney, RN, MSHA, director of Educational Programs for the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority said. “Patient Safety Officers should award the pin when someone in their healthcare facility has done something notable to improve the culture of safety within the facility.
“They are not easily obtained and are an award for recognition of their personal daily commitment to patient safety,” Charney added.
The Patient Safety Officers will receive their recognition pins throughout Patient Safety Awareness Week. Note cards will accompany the pins so facilities can share what their healthcare worker did to earn the “I am Patient Safety” recognition.
“The note cards are voluntary and postage is paid so if facilities would like to share their story, the Authority would greatly appreciate it,” Charney added.
Charney said several facilities requested additional posters (over 800) to promote the message throughout their facilities’ clinical areas.
“Every day healthcare facility personnel work to improve patient safety and ensure all patients have the best possible outcome when using the healthcare system,” Charney said. “Patient Safety Awareness Week allows us to emphasize the importance of making that personal commitment to patient safety.”
During Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Authority will host several informative presentations throughout Pennsylvania’s healthcare facilities. The Authority will also present healthcare consumer tip information in the Pennsylvania Capitol Monday, March 4.
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 healthcare facilities to encourage a personal commitment to patient safety, 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 “7/365: 7days of recognition, 365 days of commitment to 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.