375 MDG to participate in National Patient Safety Awareness Week Published March 10, 2016 By Patricia Palmer-Reider Patient Safety Program Manager SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In an effort to raise awareness and encourage the engagement of patients, families, health care providers, and the public, the 375th Medical Group will participate in the "United for Patient Safety" campaign being led by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). National Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 13-19. The theme for the week is "United for Patient Safety." Everyone in the health care process plays a role in delivering safe care, and by uniting together and sharing that common goal, we can make a difference in patient safety. From patients to care providers, from the front lines to the executive suite, from the patient and family advocate to the corporate solutions provider--we are all united in the goal of keeping patients and those who care for them free from harm. Citing the recent NPSF report, Free from Harm: Accelerating Patient Safety Improvement Fifteen Years after To Err Is Human, Tejal K. Gandhi, MD, MPH, CPPS, president and chief executive officer of NPSF, said, "We have seen some improvement in patient safety, but 1 in 10 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 375 MDG has planned activities to educate staff and engage patients through displays and articles on social media. Education topics range from infection prevention, to communication, to healthcare worker burnout. 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. "I am proud of the work that our staff does every day to make the 375 MDG a leading health care provider in our community," says Patty Palmer-Reider, Patient Safety Program Manager for the 375 MDG. "Patient Safety Awareness Week is a time to recognize the work that has been done, reflect, educate and engage. Everyone--from providers to patients and family members--plays a role in ensuring safe care, and by uniting together and sharing that common goal, we can make a difference in patient safety." For more information about the campaign, please see UnitedinPatientSafety.org.