Knowledgeable patients are safer patients!
Everyone has a role to play in patient safety. MIPS develops and shares several resources that give patients & families the information they need to become active participants in their care. Here are our top 10 resources for patients to get engaged in their healthcare.
1. It's Safe to Ask
As one of our first resources, MIPS created the It's Safe to Ask brochure and posters to promote stronger communication between patients and providers. The focus of It's Safe to Ask is 3 key questions we encourage patients to ask & discuss with their healthcare providers, whether it's with their doctor, nurse, pharmacist or any other practitioner. Asking these questions will lead to increased awareness and cooperation, as well as contribute to safer outcomes for patients.
2. Patient Rights & Declaration of Patient & Family Engagement
Another important place for patients to begin is to understand the rights that they have as patients to be actively engaged in their healthcare decisions. Knowing that it is the patient's right to be involved, to have access to information, to be heard, and to make decisions, can help people engage as a partner in their healthcare team.
A list of nine patient rights is part of the MIPS Declaration of Patient & Family Engagement a guide for patients and families on different things to consider when engaging in their healthcare, such as; patient values, principles of partnership and patient rights and responsibilities.
3. My Patient Advocate Agreement
The healthcare system is filled with caring professionals, however it is often a complex system, and when health issues add to the stress, it can be difficult for many people to take an active role in their healthcare by themselves. MIPS encourages patients to find someone they trust to provide additional support so that you are not at a disadvantage for getting the best care possible. When a patient advocate is needed, the My Patient Advocate Agreement can help patients determine in the ways they need support and documents this for healthcare providers. MIPS also has resources that help patients choose a patient advocate.
4. Better Ways: Your Voice in Healthcare Series
The Better Ways: Your Voice in Healthcare Series shows there is a better way for patients to speak up for themselves in healthcare settings. Each of the eight videos share a better way to communicate with healthcare providers, helping guide people to find their voice by offering examples of typical conversations that happen around difficult topics.
5. S.A.F.E. Toolkit
The Safe-Advocacy For Everyone S.A.F.E. Toolkit was created to provide information, tips, and resources on a variety of topics, to help people learn about the many different ways they can be involved in safer healthcare. In addition to the topics above, the toolkit has detailed information on improving communication, medication safety, preparing for hospital stays, and more.
This also has a Leader's Guide so that the public can offer the toolkit topics in their communities as group presentations.
6. S.A.F.E. Toolkit Video Series
The S.A.F.E. Toolkit Video Series includes eight videos based on topics found in the Self-Advocacy for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) Toolkit. The videos walk through how each of the topics is important to patients to help them stay safe in the healthcare system, giving examples of when a patient might need to use the information, and highlighting resources that can help them.
These videos are a great stand-alone resource or can also be used to enhance group presentations.
7. Learn to Be Safe Video Series
The Learn to Be Safe Video Series is a series of videos created to help the public learn to be safe by sharing 5 key messages about the importance of patient safety. Healthcare is a complex system and these videos bring awareness to some basic safety principles everyone should know about to help keep themselves safe.
8. It's Safe to Ask Medication Card
It is important for patients to understand what medication errors are, how they happen, and what can be done to prevent them. Patients are vital partners in providing accurate and detailed information about the medications they take and how they are taking them. MIPS created the It's Safe to Ask Medication Card in order to help patients record their medication use, which then helps healthcare providers and emergency responders have current and accurate information for safer treatment. Having medication information listed on this card can improve communication and encourage questions that lead to safer medication use.
9. 5 Questions to Ask About Medications
The 5 Questions to Ask About Medications resource was developed by national safety organizations alongside patients & providers so that patients are prompted to ask questions about their medications that they may not know are important. This was designed to help patients better understand their medications and use them safely to prevent harm from medication errors, but also to start a conversation between patients and their healthcare providers.
10. A Guide to a Critical Incident and Disclosure: Information for Patients and Families
When people receive healthcare services they expect to receive safe care. Healthcare providers do their best to ensure this is the case, however, unexpected things can happen that cause unintended harm. In the event this happens, it may be called a critical incident, and a conversation with the healthcare providers involved is called disclosure. MIPS has helped create A Guide to a Critical Incident and Disclosure: Information for Patients and Families to walk patients through what they can expect in the event an incident happens, as understanding these details can help them navigate what comes next and where they can find help to cope with the situation.
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