http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/HealthNews/Reuters/NewsStory0307200340.htm
Speak up! It may help fight medical errors
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Last Updated: 2003-03-07 17:00:09 -0400 (Reuters Health)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) -- As part of a nationwide campaign to curb medical
errors, a leading healthcare safety group is urging patients to speak up about
their medical questions.
During Patient Safety Awareness Week March 9-15, the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations will launch its second annual "Speak
Up" program.
The program's goal is to improve healthcare quality and empower people to
participate in decisions about their medical care. Patients will receive
brochures and medical professionals in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and
pharmacies will wear buttons inviting people to ask questions.
"Sometimes people may feel intimidated to ask questions," Cathy Barry-Ipema,
spokesperson for the Joint Commission, told Reuters Health. "So we want to say
that it is fine. It is OK. Healthcare organizations want you to ask questions.
It is important."
Nearly 100,000 people die each year as a result of medical mistakes, according
to recent statistics. Through a medical error database, the Joint Commission
tracks mistakes from nearly 17,000 healthcare organizations that report the
information voluntarily. Poor communication and patient misidentification could
lead to medication and surgical errors, which were among the "major" problems
seen, Barry-Ipema said.
She noted that research has shown the more involved patients are the more
likely they are to have good outcomes.
"Patients can play a vital role in making their healthcare safe, by becoming
active, involved and informed," she said. "They need to see themselves as the
center of the healthcare team. They need to ask questions." And if they can't,
Barry-Ipema said, patients need to have loved ones or other advocates speak on
their behalf.