Patient Safety Awareness Week Published March 4, 2016 By 92nd Medical Group FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- In an effort to raise awareness and encourage the engagement of patients, families, health care providers and the public, the 92nd Medical Group announced its participation in the United for Patient Safety campaign being led by the National Patient Safety Foundation. The United for Patient Safety campaign is intended to spark dialogue, promote action to improve the safety of the health care system for patients and the workforce, and to instill the message that "every day is Patient Safety Day." During this recognition week, NPSF encourages health care organizations around the world to take part by creating awareness in their community and among their staff. Citing the recent NPSF report, Free from Harm: Accelerating Patient Safety Improvement Fifteen Years after To Err Is Human, Tejal K. Gandhi, Medical Doctor, Masters Public Health, Certified Professional in Patient Safety, president and chief executive officer of NPSF, said, "We have seen some improvement in patient safety, but one in ten patients still experiences a hospital-acquired complication, and many more harms occur in outpatient settings, where most care is provided, so there is still much work to be done." To observe the week, the 92nd MDG has planned activities to educate staff and engage patients. Educational materials will be located in the Medical Group's main entry, nearest the pharmacy. In addition, patients, families, and consumers are encouraged to take part in the campaign by pledging to be active members of their health care teams by participating in care decisions and asking questions. "The 92nd Medical Group works hard every day to provide compassionate, high quality "Trusted Care." We continually look for ways to improve our processes and workflows with patient safety as our main priority," said Colonel Meg Carey, Commander of the 92nd Medical Group. "Patient Safety Awareness Week is a time to recognize our progress throughout the past year, but also to educate and engage our staff and patients to continue to make patient safety a priority. It is important for our patients to become active participants in their healthcare by understanding the role they play. Asking questions and making sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment and when to follow up with your provider is one way we can all make a difference." For more information on the Patient Safety campaign, please visit UnitedinPatientSafety.org. About the National Patient Safety Foundation The National Patient Safety Foundation's vision is to create a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm. A central voice for patient safety since 1997, NPSF partners with patients and families, the health care community, and key stakeholders to advance patient safety and health care workforce safety and disseminate strategies to prevent harm. NPSF is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about the Foundation's work, visit www.npsf.org.