KITCHEN HELPS HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS “SPEAK UP”

          PHILADELPHIA, March 27 – State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen is making a helpful brochure with tips for health care consumers available at her district offices.

          “A recent study found that Americans only receive the proper medical care from health care providers approximately 55 percent of the time,” said Kitchen (D-Philadelphia). “While we have some of the most talented doctors and nurses in the world, too many patients fall through the cracks of our disjointed system. The best way to ensure you get the recommended care is to be assertive in communicating and educating yourself.”

          Developed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the brochure is entitled “Speak Up™: Help Prevent Errors in Your Care.” Some of the tips featured in the brochure include:

• 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 mistakes.                       

• 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.

• Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.

           Kitchen’s district offices are located at 1701 West Lehigh Avenue, Suite 104, and 119 West Tabor Road. The brochure is also available at the Patient Safety Authority’s Web site at www.psa.state.pa.us.