Oct. 30, 2013 — Canadian Patient Safety Week officially kicked off with an announcement from federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose of a new funding agreement with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI).
Canadian Patient Safety Week, held Oct. 28 to Nov. 1., is supported by federal and provincial governments
and over 2,000 Canadian health-care organizations, according to the
CPSI. Canadian Patient Safety Week is a national annual campaign
launched in 2005 to inspire extraordinary improvement in patient safety
and quality. Working together, thousands of health-care professionals,
patients and families help spread the message that good health-care
starts with good communication.
Susan Sullivan, Minister of
Health and Community Services, signed a proclamation to designate the
week in Newfoundland and Labrador. The minister was joined by patient
safety ambassadors Vickie Kaminski, president and CEO, Eastern Health;
Raeline McGrath, member, Patients for Patient Safety Canada; and Theresa
Fillatre, senior policy advisor, CPSI. Sullivan reinforced the
importance of good communication and the value of the patient and family
perspective in advancing safe care.
Representing the voice of
the patient, members of Patients for Patient Safety Canada (PFPSC) share
their stories and lessons learned to improve quality and patient
safety. McGrath reinforced how patients have helped to create awareness
at many important levels, from the bedside to boardrooms. It is this
support for and partnerships with patients and families that will
inspire change and make care safer, McGrath said.
McGrath and
Kaminski were among 40 diverse speakers who will share their patient
narratives during Canada`s Virtual Forum on Quality and Patient Safety,
held in conjunction with Canadian Patient Safety Week. The five-day
virtual Forum is being broadcast live via the CPSI website.
The
theme for Canadian Patient Safety Week – Ask.Listen.Talk. – reinforces
that good health-care starts with a question, requires an open mind, and
a responsive heart.
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