Patient safety awareness week - 90th Medical Group partners with patients Published March 1, 2012 By Chris Heidrich 90th Medical Group Patient Safety Manager F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Patient Safety Awareness Week is observed annually in March. This year, it is from March 4 through 10. Sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation, it is a national education and awareness-building campaign for improving patient safety at the local level. This year's theme is "Be Aware for Safe Care." The 90th Medical Group promotes patient safety every day of the year and is joining with other clinics, hospitals and healthcare organizations across the country to raise patient safety awareness throughout the week. To help people learn more about patient safety, the 90th MDG will have a special patient safety display in the Family Health Clinic patient waiting area. Warren members are encouraged to stop by this display and learn more about ensuring safe care. As part of this celebration, the 90th MDG recommends the following five steps to making your health care safer: Step 1. Address any questions or concerns. It is important to ask questions and make sure answers are completely understood. Ensure comfort while talking to health care providers about treatment. Consider taking a relative or close friend to medical appointments to help ask questions and understand the answers. Step 2. Keep lists of all current medications. At the 90th MDG, providers give patients lists of their medications at each visit. If one isn't received, ask the provider for it. Tell the provider and pharmacist about the medicines being taken, including non-prescription medications such as pain relievers and dietary supplements like vitamins and herbs. Tell them about any drug allergies. Ask the provider and pharmacist about common side effects and what to avoid while taking the medicine. When picking up medications, read the labels - especially warnings. Make sure the medication is what the provider ordered, and how to use it. If the medicine looks different than expected, ask the pharmacist about it. Step 3. Make sure to get the results of any test or procedures. If they are not received when expected in-person, on the phone or in the mail, don't assume the results are fine. Call the provider and ask for them. Ask what the results mean and what should be done for appropriate follow up. Call the 90th MDG at 773-3641 to inquire about test results if they are not received in three weeks. The clinic will contact patients via phone for significant results as they are received, and via mail for routine results. Step 4. Talk with providers and health care teams about options if hospital care is needed. Ask health care professionals which hospitals have the best care and results for specific conditions. Hospitals do a good job of treating a variety of conditions, check with the provider and the hospital to learn more about their experience performing a particular procedure and what the results were. At discharge be sure to ask about follow-up care and be sure to understand the instructions. Step 5. Make sure it is understood what will happen if surgery is needed. Ask the provider: "Who will manage my care while I am at the hospital?" Ask the surgeon: "Exactly what will be done?" "About how long will it take?" "What will happen after the surgery?" "What is the expected recovery for the procedure?" Make sure it is agreed upon exactly what will be done during the operation. Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses about any allergies, bad reaction to anesthesia and any current medications. What is the best way to stay safe while receiving necessary medical care? Act as a partner with medical providers. Do this by being an active participant in that care through maintaining an active role with providers beginning with the steps listed above.