Healthcare communications, patient engagement improve safety, reduce errors

Improving healthcare communications and engaging patients is critical to improving safety and reducing error. That's why in celebration of The National Patient Safety Foundation's Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 6-12, patient safety thought leaders will be podcasting at the Engaging the Patient (www.engagingthepatient.com) blog about how to improve patient safety and empower patients to become more actively involved in their care. Featured experts include:

• Diane Pinakiewicz, MBA, President of the National Patient Safety Foundation
• Dr. Stephen Lawless, Vice President of Quality and Safety at Nemours
• Dr. Jonathan Waters, Chief of Anesthesiology at Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC
• Dr. Steven Kmucha, a practicing otolaryngologist (ENT) and outspoken patient safety advocate

Patient safety continues to be a pressing concern at America's healthcare institutions. According to the Institute of Healthcare Improvement, every year, more than 15 million incidents of harm happen in U.S. hospitals. Medical errors cost Medicare $8.8 billion and result in hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths. The issue touches the lives of Americans of every age, race, gender and income.

Emmi Solutions, creator of the Engaging the Patient blog and of interactive patient engagement programs, is providing an online tool for patients on its website. The program helps parents of pediatric patients learn how to better ensure a safe hospital experience for their child. Healthcare providers across the country will have access to the program for the duration of Patient Safety Awareness Week.