Hospital to have patient safety week

Van Wert independent/VWCH information

In an effort to raise awareness and encourage the engagement of patients, families, health care providers, and the public, Van Wert County Hospital announced its participation in the 2012 Patient Safety Awareness Week campaign, “Be Aware for Safe Care.”

Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 4-10, is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). Each year, health care organizations around the world take part in the effort to create awareness in the community and educate hospital staff and patients about the important of patient safety.

This year’s theme, “Be Aware for Safe Care,” focuses on the need for everyone to understand the importance of patient safety and to recognize the range of efforts being made to improve health safety in the U.S. and worldwide.

Van Wert County Hospital will engage staff, patients and the community through educational and awareness-building specific to patient safety. The campaign seeks to make patients, providers, and the public aware of the ways they can participate in these efforts and partner to improve patient safety. While efforts of the past decade have brought improvements, recent studies indicate that much work remains to be done-and can be done most effectively through the involvement of all parties.

“Be Aware for Safe Care” emphasizes the fact that safety issues impact everyone.

“The more we work together to promote patient safety, the more we all benefit from a safe healthcare system,” said Diane C. Pinakiewicz, MBA, president, National Patient Safety Foundation. NPSF encourages creative collaboration among provider groups, patient advocates, and other community organizations to help patients and consumers understand how they can participate to be part of the solution.

“While this week provides an unique opportunity to emphasize the importance of patient safety, Van Wert County Hospital proactively looks for safety opportunities,” said Pam Baker, vice president of nursing services at Van Wert County Hospital. “We believe through all of us working together situations can be identified quickly and processes put in place to eliminate risks. Van Wert County Hospital strongly encourages the community to learn more about how each individual can be a part of keeping patients safe when accessing any health care system.”

For additional information on Patient Safety Awareness Week, please visit www.npsf.