National Patient Safety Awareness Week

March 3-7, 2008 is National Patient Safety Awareness Week. Communication between doctors and patients is very important to safety and effective health care plans and prevention. I have drafted a list of steps patients should take to help them work with their doctors and do their part to stay healthy. This Patient Physician Advisory was created to show patients what they should do to get the best healthcare from their doctor.

It is the responsibility of any infected or at-risk person to:

1. Express any and all concerns clearly to their physician(s)

2. Request information or detailed clarification when they do not fully understand their health status or treatment and the risk they may pose to themselves and others

3. Cooperate fully with agreed-upon treatment plans and appointments

4. Prevent the development of disease by accepting appropriate vaccines and prophylactics – especially in high-risk areas

5. Prevent disease progression and transmission, by limiting the spread of disease to others and staying informed of risks

6. Be timely in reporting any suspected illness

7. Be truthful to their physician, providing them with a complete medical history so they can accurately assess the risk of infection and potential for transmission