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Involve patients in their care to create an additional safety net

Nurse Leader Weekly, July 8, 2005

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Patients who are more involved in their care get better results, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

However, a recent survey by VitalSmarts, a Provo, UT-based private company that provides training products and services, indicated that many patients don't ask questions when it comes to their own care. Although patients felt more inclined to speak up when they believed the provider made a medication error, more than one-third didn't.

To encourage patients to ask about their care, nurses need to understand the importance of helping patients feel comfortable doing so and recognize that this action enhances patient safety.

"Patients' role is on equal footing with any of their care providers," says Gloria Brunell-Ybarra, MPH, BSN, RN, NHA, director of risk management at North Colorado Medical Center, a member hospital of Banner Health System, located in Greeley.

Some patients are afraid to speak up and ask questions or intervene if they feel something is wrong, she says. Older patients in particular either have unconditional trust in doctors or feel they don't have the right to question their care.

Educating practitioners is the first step

Before formalizing its patient education campaign, Banner Health System educated staff through leadership development classes and computer-based tools. North Colorado Medical Center allowed each department to devise a method of patient education that staff felt best suited their patients' needs. Some departments created posters to hang in patient rooms, while others composed letters to give patients upon admission to the unit.
Departments shared their ideas during executive council meetings, which promoted discussion and brainstorming, says Brunell-Ybarra.

Tip: Practitioners should explain to patients in lay terms what's happening, says Brunell-Ybarra. Don't act rushed or busy and ask patients whether they understand what you told them. Ask whether they have any questions.

Source: Adapted from Briefings on Patient Safety (May 2005), published by HCPro, Inc.

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