March 8, 2002

With issues regarding patient safety grabbing recent headlines, hospitals and clinicians across the country are doing more to inform the general public about policies and programs put in place to ensure safe care for patients. As a result of these changes, health care institutions are recognizing National Patient Safety Awareness Week from March 10 to 16.

The Office of Quality and Safety for the MGH and the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization will host a patient safety information table in the Main Corridor March 12 and 14, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The MGH health centers in the Back Bay, Charlestown, Chelsea, Everett, the North End and Revere also will offer safety information to patients and visitors throughout the week. Information about preventing falls, ensuring medication safety and creating better communication between providers and patients will be available. Additional patient safety information and resources will be available in the Blum Patient and Family Learning Center, located on the first floor of the White Building.

"While there now is a nationwide focus to raise expectations for patient safety standards in hospitals across the country, that focus has been present at the MGH for years," says Joan Fitzmaurice, RN, PhD, director of the MGH Office of Quality and Safety. "However, events such as National Patient Safety Awareness Week give us another opportunity to inform our patients and visitors about how we at the MGH keep our patients safe during their hospital stay."