SJ participates in Patient Safety week Published March 2, 2011 By Tasha Hunter 4th Medical Group SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Patient Safety Awareness Week is part of a national education and awareness campaign sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation. This annual event takes place March 6-12. It promotes improving and sustaining patient safety. This year's theme, "Are you In? Commit to Safe Health Care," highlights the need for healthcare participants - from patient to provider - to be informed, involved and invested in making healthcare safe. This is important because it encourages everyone to work together, listen to each other and communicate effectively. While the 4th Medical Group focuses on providing a safe environment for our patients every day, this week we are focusing on the role of patients in their own healthcare. The relationship between provider, patients and families helps guarantee correct treatment and reduces unnecessary care. The Patient Safety program encourages patients to understand the answers to three questions: 1. What is my main problem? 2. What do I need to do? 3. Why is it important for me to do this? According to the NPSF, studies show people who understand health instructions make few mistakes when they take their medicine or prepare for a medical procedure. They also tend to get well sooner or be able to better manage a chronic health condition. For more information about patient safety initiatives or the Patient Safety program, call Tasha Hunter, Patient Safety Program Manager, at 722-1882.