52 MDG joins nationwide effort to promote patient safety awareness Published March 12, 2010 By 52nd Medical Group SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE -- In a concentrated, nationwide effort to encourage and strengthen collaboration between patients, families and their healthcare providers while improving patient safety through collective action, the 52nd Medical Group joined other leading healthcare organizations in celebration of Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 7-13, sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation. This year's theme is "Let's Talk! Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare." The 52 MDG, a member of the National Patient Safety Foundation's Stand Up for Patient Safety program, will engage staff, patients and the local Spangdahlem community by emphasizing the critical need for partnership and participation in the drive for a safer healthcare system. Programs highlighting new methods for improving the information exchange that occurs during patient and provider encounters will be launched and promoted throughout the course of the week. A booth will be set up in the medical clinic with giveaways such as pens, notepads and informational brochures. Also, the Bitburg Elementary School will be participating in a poster contest regarding hand washing and medication safety. Keep up to date about the things that can help health care teams provide safe and effective care. Here are some simple ways to enhance the healthcare experience. · Be an active participant in healthcare. This means understanding all of the treatments and prescribed medications. If anything is unclear, ask questions. If you are afraid of forgetting some of the information after an appointment, ask for information and instructions in writing. Bringing someone to the appointment may help. · Upon receiving a new prescription, make sure it is legible and the healthcare provider's directions are understandable. Look at both the label and the contents. If there any questions, no matter how small, ask before leaving. For liquid medicine, ask about the best measurement method to receive the proper dose. · After a test has been performed - lab or otherwise - follow-up with the provider to ensure reception of the results, or at a minimum, ask a healthcare team member how notification of the results will be relayed. If the results take longer than they should, contact the healthcare provider. Everyone has a role in promoting safer healthcare. The most important way is to be an active member of the health care team. For questions or comments, please contact Rebecca Welsh at 06565-61-3123.