In March 2002, the Joint Commission, together with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), launched a national campaign to urge patients to take a role in preventing health care errors by becoming active, involved and informed participants on the health care team.
The Speak Up Campaign encourages the public to:
Speak up if you have questions or concerns and if you do not understand ask again, it’s your right to know.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you are getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical test 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.
Use a hospital, clinic or other type of health care organization that has undergone a on site evaluation for safety and quality standards.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment.
Valley-Wide cares about you! We support our mission to provide quality healthcare because “you are the center of our health care team”, please “SPEAK UP” , we will listen.
Information obtained: Joint Commission resources
