Pulse CPSEA Celebrates 1st Annual WHO Patient Safety Day on 9/17

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced September 17, 2019 as the first official World Patient Safety Day. On that day, says the UN body, “WHO will launch a global campaign to create awareness of patient safety and urge people to show their commitment to making healthcare safer.”

To bring that global effort to local communities, Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy today launched a campaign to get organizations of all kinds (mainly but not exclusively on Long Island) to sign a pledge agreeing to promote these five basic patient safety recommendations that every individual can do.

1. Maintain a current list of all medications you take and share it with your Primary Care Physician and family members (include over-the-counter medications);
2. Keep a list of all past and present clinicians, surgeries and procedures (with dates) and share with your clinicians and family members;
3. Prepare a list of all your symptoms and questions to bring with you to all medical appointments;
4. Prepare your healthcare proxy and other Advance Directives to make sure your instructions are followed;
   5. Develop a support system of trusted family members and friends who will help you advocate for safe care. Offer to help support others with their safe care.

“We want as many companies, community organizations and support groups as possible to promote these safety tips to their members and employees,” says Pulse President Ilene Corina. “If everybody took these five simple steps before they got sick or needed a procedure, the result would be better outcomes from treatment, and a lower risk of medical error.

The pledge can be completed online here.

Pulse will hold a public recognition ceremony at 2:00 pm on September 17, at 2:00 PM at Zona Restaurant in Massapequa Park, NY where participating groups will be awarded a certificate verifying their commitment to helping the patient safety effort. Their names will also be listed on the Pulse CPSEA website.

Corina concludes, “Just by carrying out this pledge, companies and other groups can show themselves to be good corporate and community citizens, enhancing the reputations of all who take part.”

Pulse will be holding three public phone-ins for anyone seeking more information about World Patient Safety Day.

Tuesday September 10th 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Friday, September 13th 8:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Call in #: 302-202-1108. At the prompt, enter Passcode 976512

Learn about the Patient Safety Pledge and why it matters to you!