Through Canadian Patient Safety Week (Nov. 1-5), North Wellington Health Care (NWHC) and Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) plan to shine the light on patient safety.
Canadian Patient Safety Week increases awareness of patient safety issues and aims to share information about best practices in patient safety with healthcare providers, patients and their families. The theme – Ask. Listen. Talk. – promotes the importance of communication between and among patients, clients, consumers, and providers and applies to all healthcare settings and sectors.
“Patients are the most important advocate for their own health and being actively involved in their treatment will help ensure they receive the best possible care.” stated Lois Ballah, manager of quality and risk for the Wellington Health Care Alliance. “The national campaign will see hundreds of healthcare organizations and frontline professionals across the country promote the role of good communication in healthcare.”
During the week, patients will receive patient safety information on their dining trays and visitors to NWHC and GMCH will have the opportunity to view patient safety educational displays in the hospital’s lobbies. Ballah recommended the following five simple tips to assist patients:
– Be involved in your care. Speak up if you have questions/concerns.
– Share important health information with your care team (health history, medications, allergies etc.)
– Bring all of medications with you.
– Wash your hands and make sure that your visitors wash their hands.
Make sure you understand your hospital discharge plan when you leave the hospital.
Organizers ask that everyone join the thousands of healthcare providers, patients and their families across Canada in helping to share the important message: Don’t just think it, say it. Good healthcare starts with good communication. Don’t hesitate to talk openly.
North Wellington Health Care is a regional provider of primary and secondary health services. North Wellington Health Care delivers high quality health care services in Mount Forest and Palmerston. The Corporation employs more than 200 staff, with 190 dedicated volunteers supporting the organization in a variety of ways.
Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) is a highly respected, rural, acute-care facility providing a wide range of services. The hospital employs over 250 and has over 300 volunteers supporting the organization in a variety of ways.
