Learn …to be SAFE!

People can have mixed feelings about their encounters with the healthcare system.

Most of the time, people’s experiences with the healthcare system are positive. However, the healthcare system is complex. It might be scary for people and, at times, things don’t go as planned.

Patient safety is everyone’s responsibility, including patients themselves. This is why the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety is committed to empowering patients and families to be engaged in their healthcare. Not only do we develop and share patient safety resources, each year our volunteers provide patient safety presentations to the public. We teach people how to engage with their healthcare team, to ask questions, to be informed, and to take part in decision-making.

Research shows that the more informed and involved patients are, the more likely they are to have better patient outcomes. 

They are also likely to be more satisfied with their healthcare experiences. And, being involved can improve patient safety. As a patient, you need to learn more about being safe, whether in hospital, your health clinic, or at home. Learning what you can do to work with your healthcare providers is important to making your patient experiences as safe as possible.

It is important for you, the patient, to speak up and get involved in your healthcare decisions. You are the common thread in your healthcare journey. Our presentations provide the resources and tools you can use to learn to advocate for yourself and others. These presentations are based on our S.A.F.E. (Self-Advocacy for Everyone) Toolkit, and cover topics such as:

·       Know your patient rights	·       Choose your patient advocate
·       Talk with your doctor	·       Work with your pharmacist
·       Know your healthcare plan	·       Prevent Falls

If you are interested in booking a presentation free-of-charge for your community/group, please contact us at admin@mips.ca or 204-927-6477. We prefer a minimum of 10 participants and ask that a registration process be used to confirm numbers. Further details are available by contacting us at the contact information above. Community members are also welcome to use the S.A.F.E. Toolkit, which has a Leader’s Guide with tips and worksheets, to host their own group sessions on self-advocacy.

Further information on the toolkit topics are available in our online S.A.F.E. Toolkit, which also directs users to useful resources, and has helpful videos on these topics here. Go now to www.safetoask.ca and Learn…. to be SAFE.