Speak Up: Help Prevent Errors in Your Care
An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report has identified the occurrence of medical errors as a serious problem in the health care system. The IOM recommends, among other things, that a concerted effort be made to improve the public's awareness of the problem. The "Speak Up" program, sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, urges patients to get involved in their care. Such efforts to increase consumer awareness and involvement are supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This initiative provides simple advice on how you, as the patient, can make your care a positive experience. After all, research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to have better outcomes. To help prevent health care errors, patients are urged to "Speak Up."
For more information about Speak Out please visit the Joint Commission web site.
Contacting the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations: If you are not satisfied with Family Health Centers’ response to your concern or complaint regarding patient safety or quality of care you may contact the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). JCAHO claims that the names of patients submitting concerns or complaints will be kept confidential. Workers who speak to JCAHO surveyors must be protected from employer retaliation. In the event that a hospital intimidates or punishes any worker who speaks to JCAHO surveyors in a light unfavorable to the hospital, JCAHO should deny that hospital's accreditation or conduct another unannounced survey at a later date. Workers who speak to JCAHO surveyors also must be assured confidentiality. The best way to do this is to hold off-site interviews with workers. JCAHO does not address concerns or complaints regarding individual billing issues or payment disputes. Concerns and complaints may be sent to JCAHO in the following ways: E-mail: complaint@jcaho.org Fax: Office of Quality Monitoring (630) 792-5636 Mail: Office of Quality Monitoring Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations One Renaissance Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60181 Phone: (800) 994-6610 – for information regarding concerns and complaints
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Everyone has a role in making health care safety -- physicians, nurses, health care executives and technicians. Health care organizations across the country are working to make health care safety a priority. You, as the patient, can also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team.