FORT LEE, Va. (Feb. 27, 2014) -- March 3-9 is National Patient Safety Awareness Week, an education and awareness-building campaign for improving patient safety at the local level. According to the FDA, approximately 1.3 million people are injured annually as a result of medication errors.
Kenner Army Health Clinic is joining other leading health care organizations across the country and around the world in promoting the Patient Safety Awareness Week messages.
The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of patient safety activities and encourage staff and patients to develop lasting partnerships among providers, patients and communities.
"Patient safety is something we never take for granted and always strive to continue upholding the highest standards," said Deneen Archer, Patient Safety and Infection Control manager, KAHC. "By observing Patient Safety Week, we are reminding ourselves and our patients that each and every day we must continue to keep patient safety in the front of our minds."
KAHC recognizes the need to provide safe and effective patient care. Through performance improvement initiatives, KAHC can improve the way a task is completed so that the operation is more effective and crises are better prevented.
As beneficiaries, there are ways you can help prevent medication errors. Some of the recommended steps include:
• Telling your doctor the names of all prescription and non-prescription drugs, dietary supplements and herbal preparations at every visit.
• When your doctor gives you a prescription, ask him or her to tell you the name of the drug, the correct dosage, and what the drug is used for.
• Be sure you understand the directions for any medications you may be taking including the correct dosage, storage requirements and any special instructions.
• Never be afraid to ask questions. If the name of the drug on your prescription looks different than you expected, if the directions appear different than you thought, or if the pills or medications look different, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
All of us working and communicating together can reduce the amount of medication errors each year and promote better patient safety.
The clinic has many programs, policies and processes in place to ensure patient safety. KAHC has an active Patient Safety Program that is committed to ensuring all aspects of care provided meet the highest standards at all times
Patient-centered care is the model at KAHC. This means the patient is at the center of everything the clinic does and every decision made.
The central question our staff asks is, "What is in the best interest of the Soldier/family member" And, based on the answer, the staff acts accordingly.
This succeeds best when, as the PSAW theme for this year describes, everyone is involved, informed, and invested in the process.
The leadership and staff of KAHC encourage patients to stop by during this year's awareness week observance.
"We are committed to providing the highest level of safe, quality care and welcome your participation," said Col. Thomas S. Bundt, Kenner Army Health Clinic commander.
There will be tables with educational materials and other items related to patient safety in the pharmacy waiting area lobby.
The National Patient Safety Foundation started this campaign in March 2002. The NPSF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving patient safety and reducing medical errors.
It does this through education, research, and by raising awareness with hospitals, health care systems, hospital staffs and the patients and families they serve.
For more information, call (804) 734-9000.
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