Patient Safety Awareness Week is dedicated to celebrating the role of Patient Safety Professionals and their contributions to improving patient outcomes and healthcare quality. It also gives us a great platform to thank those professionals who have impacted our families by providing safe, effective, quality care when it was needed. For those of you who serve as a healthcare professional, it gives you an excellent opportunity to spread awareness of the importance of patient safety and thank those who have invested in you.
Patient safety isn’t just a goal; it’s a continuous journey that requires collaboration, innovation, and a shared sense of responsibility. In this fast-paced healthcare world, every team member—from frontline staff to administrative personnel to clinicians to support staff—plays a crucial role in prioritizing patient safety, identifying potentially hazardous situations quickly, and taking proactive measures to prevent errors. Utilizing the resources around us, including seeking ideas from frontline staff, networking with other professionals and organizations, and exploring and using best practices from evidence-based resources, is a great way to understand and align with those measures.
ASHRM, the American Society for Health Care Risk Management, offers a range of resources to help you recognize and celebrate Patient Safety Awareness Week. You can access these resources by visiting PSAW 2024. The resources include free tools like a short e-learning module on proactive safety and maternal care risk management, as well as, activities designed to increase staff awareness of patient safety. You can also help spread the word by using the hashtag #PSAW24 on your social media channels and searching for resources related to #patientsafety and #riskmanagement.
The American Hospital Association has additional resources through links on their website at AHA PSAW Resources.
This Patient Safety Awareness Week, let’s thank the healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of patients as they move through the continuum of care at our hospitals and health centers. We would love to hear from you! Tell us…
- What is most meaningful about the healthcare work you do?
- What initiatives are you implementing to focus on Patient Safety?
- How are you making Patient Safety a priority at your organization?
As an Inspirien or HWCF partner, you have access to several resources to help you improve patient safety, including surveys, classes, assessments, reviews, and many other services included in your coverage. If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to contact our Risk Management Team at riskmanagement@inspirien.net.
Happy Patient Safety Awareness Week 2024!