Hospital Highlights

Patient Safety Awareness Week

Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). The theme for March 3-9, 2013 is Patient Safety Awareness Week, reflecting the need to involve everyone–from patients to providers–in ensuring the safety of our health care process.

During your hospital visit, our medical providers and hospital staff do everything they can to insure your safety and well-being. Don’t forget that you, too, are an important member of the team. Informed and involved patients play a crucial role in protecting their own safety.

At Whitman Hospital and Medical Center, we encourage patients and family members to speak up if they do not see their care givers or medical staff providers cleanse their hands before or after their interaction with them. In fact, we encourage questions from patients on any topic they are worried about or simply need more information.

A few things you can also do to take charge of your own care and safety include:

Bring your medical information with you (your history, immunizations, allergies, medications, etc.), Don’t go alone (take someone with you), Learn about your choices (research your illness/condition, ask questions about your treatment options, etc.), Talk openly (answer questions truthfully, provide information you think may be important, report anything unusual or worrisome), Ask questions (question all medications, especially if something such as dosage doesn’t seem right).

We pride ourselves on providing a safe, positive patient experience. It takes a team to make this happen. That team includes you. More information from the NPSF can be found at - http://www.npsf.org/for-patients-consumers.

Debbie Glass, CEO,

Whitman Hospital and Medical Center