We talk about “patient engagement” and shared decision-making but patients tell us we are not walking the talk. Their feedback in the HCAHPS survey paints a picture of opportunity to improve. Our culture of hospital care is changing but it is still far from goal of “patient centered”.
Take a look at the recent study by James, in the Journal of Patient Safety, our stats for patient harm are not improving. In fact this report shows 2.5 time higher incidents of harm from the IOM report in 2000.
Patient centered care is Safe Care. Clinicians go to work with the intent of providing the best care to their patients but often this does not happen. Why? The causes are many and James provides several examples to demonstrate the complexity of care today.
I suggest it is time to move beyond talking about our harm and death data to giving patients ways to help us use best practice in their basic care. Basic care is where many of incidents of harm and death originate.
Shouldn’t patients and families know what to expect when they are given medications, have a retention catheter inserted, or are at risk of a fall? If you think this is right then join in the conversation for creating 21st Century Patient Partners!
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