What do patient safety and an iPod Nano have in common?

We are marking the upcoming patient safety week with a number of events, including a contest that could win you an iPod Nano.

VCH – Richmond is celebrating Canadian Patient Safety Week, October 29th to November 2nd, 2012. Together, with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, we are spreading the message that “Good healthcare starts with a question”.  We are encouraging patients and family members to ask questions, listen to answers and talk about their concerns to better understand the health care they receive.

As we continue our quality journey toward Accreditation in November 2013, we believe it is timely to recognize the staff, physicians and volunteers across VCH – Richmond who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our clients, patients and residents. During Canadian Patient Safety Week we will be highlighting some of the great work taking place across the Richmond community of care including Falls Prevention, Medication Management and Hand Hygiene. Canadian Patient Safety Week is the opportunity to take a step back and recognize those who are making a real difference in the quality of healthcare.

We invite you to join us next week in bringing even more awareness to the importance of patient safety:

  • Visit one of the display booths located in the hospital lobby, Minoru Residence or Richmond  Lions Manor between 9 – 11 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  The themes will rotate between these locations daily.
  • On Thursday, November 1st  between 9 – 11 am in the hospital atrium, the Releasing Time to Care teams will present some of the great work they are tackling to improve patient safety on the medical floors.
  • Mental Health Services will focus on Medication safety through displays on individual program Safety Boards and waiting areas.

During any of these events, you can enter our Patient Safety Week Contest for a chance to win an iPod Nano. Here is what you will need to do:

  • Tell us what you see as a patient safety issue and what you have done to make it better.
  • Or tell us about a process or practice that you would like to change to improve patient safety and what issues you and your team need to work on to make this improvement.

Enter at any of the booths during safety week or send your idea to Michael McAuley michael.xmcauley@vch.ca by the end of the day on Friday November 2nd.