Patient Safety for the Patient
March 2017
Monthly News & Updates
If you have something to share, please e-mail icorina@pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org
Our Mission
Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 community-based organization dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety through advocacy, education and support.

Patient Safety Awareness Week 2017

As we celebrate another Patient Safety Awareness Week this week (March 12 th - 18 th 2017) take a moment to think about what patient safety means to you.  It doesn't mean wear red, or a pink ribbon.  There are no walks, runs or marathons to raise awareness or money for patient safety research.  There are, however, many people who practice patient safety and many people who have been affected by patient safety.

Medication safety: While funding is going towards helping people who are addicted or dependent on pain medication, there isn't funding allotted towards providing education before someone gets a prescription, such as could be offered in high schools or community organizations.  Many people have become dependent following surgery, a dental procedure or even a sports injury.  A person as young as in the eighth grade should learn about safe medication use.  Understanding medication safety is an important part of patient safety.

Infections:  Each year thousands of people die from healthcare-associated infections, and millions are harmed.  There are many types of infection according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) such as central line bloodstream, catheter-associated, ventilator, pneumonia, and surgical site infections. The CDC describes these infections and others as an important threat to patient safety.  So why doesn't the public know more about it?  Understanding infections is an important topic of patient safety.

Health literacy and communication: It's up to your healthcare team to diagnose your problem and design your care and medication plans, but isn't it the patient's responsibility to speak up and ask questions if anything in that conversation is unclear?  "Teach back" by repeating what you heard will help you understand the information being given to you.  This isn't about being smart; it's about how people understand each other. Often a clinician would have to ask advice when talking to a computer programmer, plumber, or an electrician. It's no different for you as a patient: you should never be embarrassed to ask for clarification of something you don't understand.

Patient safety takes many forms and until patients and their families take more responsibility for their own safety, we will never be able to meet health care providers half way, to achieve safer care.  This Patient Safety Awareness Week, choose a family member or friend who will help keep you safe when the time comes.

Be Safe!
Ilene Corina, President
Pulse CPSEA

Patient Safety Awareness Week, a highlight of the United for Patient Safety Campaign, is time dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety among health professionals and the public.


Join @theNPSF and others for a Twitter chat
Patient Safety: 
What Patients Want (and Need) to Know
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 | 1:00-2:00 pm ET

Professionals for Patient Safety
will be meeting for dinner and discussion about patient safety on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 6:00 PM at the   Imperial Diner,  63 W. Merrick Rd. Freeport.   If you work in healthcare, care for a loved one, or are just interested in patient safety, come learn what topics we will be discussing.  

Dinner off the menu is $20.00.  We are always looking for solutions and ways to improve the healthcare experience.Topic for discussion - what does patient safety really mean? How  would you celebrate Patient Safety Awareness Week?  RSVP not required but strongly suggested to  professionals4patientsafety@gmail.com or call (516) 579-4711.
  
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Next Discussion is March 27, 2017
Mark your calendar!  On the last Monday of each month 7:30 PM you can connect with other patient safety advocates and instructors in a Zoom Room. ( www.zoom.us) one time register required and you will be sent the information.

E-mail pulsecpsea@gmail.com to register
Spring Patient Safety Symposium



Times running out to register for the spring patient safety symposium Infection Prevention: It Begins With You  Limited time registration $10. Register here  www.patientsafetyevent.org


ARTICLES

A Look At Hospital Nursing During the 1970's
You would feel lost and confused if you were transported back in time to a hospital ward in the 1970's when the nurses who are now at the end of their careers were students.

Study: To reduce spread of multidrug-resistant organisms, decrease antibiotic use
Exposure to antibiotics plays a key role in furthering transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms, according to a  study  published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology .
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/study-to-reduce-spread-of-multidrug-resistant-organisms-decrease-antibiotic-use.html  

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Pulse CPSEA  | 516.579.4711  | www.pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org
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