Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the lead Federal agency charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. As part of its effort to help consumers become better informed and participate as partners in their own health care, AHRQ has developed materials that will help patients get safer, higher quality care.
The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission evaluates health care organizations' performance in areas that affect patient health and safety. The Joint Commission offers among other things, a Speak Up™ program which features brochures, posters, and buttons on a variety of patient safety topics. Speak Up™ encourages you to:
- Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.
- Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
- Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
- Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
- Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care errors.
- Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by The Joint Commission.
- Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.
Speak Up™ Initiatives include:
- Things You Can Do To Prevent Medication Mistakes—Questions to ask at the clinic, hospital, doctor's office, or pharmacy to help prevent medication mistakes; this resource includes a wallet card to list medications.
- http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm296593.htm—Includes tips you can use to find out about your condition, new medicines, and follow-up care.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public's health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our Nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public's health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.
- Consumer Education: What You Need to Know to Use Medicine Safely —These consumer education materials can help you work with your health professionals to make the best medicine choices and use medicine so it is as safe and effective as possible.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is a national professional society comprised of pharmacists who work with doctors and other health care professionals in hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, and long-term care and home care facilities. The mission of ASHP is to support pharmacists to help people use medications safely and effectively. ASHP's consumer Web site (http://www.safemedication.com/) provides safety tips on medications, forms to help you keep track of your medicines, and helpful information on administering medications. This Web site also offers a drug information resource, MedMaster, which is a searchable database to learn more about your medications. Information on emergency preparedness as well as poison prevention tips for children are also provided by ASHP.
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices
Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is the Nation's only nonprofit organization devoted entirely to medication error prevention and safe medication use. The organization is known as a premier resource for impartial, timely, and accurate medication safety information. ISMP has information specific to consumers and offers a free monthly newsletter.
The Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors
Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors provides a formatted medication list that is a useful way to organize information about your medication history and other important health care related information. The coalition offers multiple resources including tips for using medications wisely and suggestions on what to do if you think an error has occurred.
