Be Aware for Safe Care Published March 9, 2012 By Senior Airman Kristin High 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 2nd Medical Group celebrated Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 4 to 10, a campaign for education and raising consciousness to improve patient safety at a local level. According to the National Patient Safety Foundation, the theme this year, "Be Aware for Safe Care," calls for all health care professionals to be aware of ongoing efforts to improve patient safety and take part in sharing that information with patients and their families. "The purpose of safety week is to raise awareness and inform patients about their medical care," said Karla Duncan, 2 MDG patient safety program manager. "Everyone should understand the importance of patient safety and the range of efforts being made to improve it in the United States." During the campaign, the pharmacy staff handed out 'time to clean out your medicine cabinet' cards that explained when you should stop using and discard old medicine, she added. In support of the ongoing education of health care providers, NPSF has also launched an online patient safety curriculum that provides foundational knowledge about the context, key principles and competencies associated with the patient safety discipline and how to apply them in everyday practice. In addition to the curriculum, NPSF is releasing a new video derived from its Ask Me 3 program, a patient education program that facilitates engagement through improved communication with providers. "The program encourages patients to ask and be able to understand three important questions about their health: What is my main problem, what do I need to do and why is it important for me to do this?," said Duncan. The questions can help patients take their medication the correct way and also prepare for future medical exams, she added. Throughout the week, signs promoting the program were displayed at the base clinic and medical professionals and staff members handed out informative health brochures at the entrance of the clinic. To help children get involved, members of the 2 MDG reached to the Child Development Center on base by showing the children how to correctly wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs. "Patient safety is important and we need to get the entire family involved to help keep everyone healthy," said Duncan. For more information about Patient Safety Awareness Week, visit www.npsf.org, or contact the clinic at 456-6555.