Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney Applauds Patient Safety Awareness Week

New Haven, CT (Law Firm Newswire) March 9, 2012 – Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 4 -10 and reminds everyone that there are still many efforts to be done to ensure our healthcare system upholds the rights of patients and emphasizes their well-being. The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) leads the national education and safety campaign, and 2012’s theme is “Be Aware for Safe Care.”

“Being aware means medical professionals should be asking more questions and openly communicating with patients about their diagnosis and options,” said Connecticut personal injury attorney Michael Stratton, of Stratton Faxon Law Firm. “If something does not seem right – about your medications, treatment, health, and the support staff that are looking after you, make your concerns known. You have a right to be involved in your care and get the care you deserve.”

The NPSF also encourages patients to take charge of their health. Taking the advised medications, going to follow-up visits, and communicating about one’s health status to a family physician and specialists can go a long way to keeping a person healthy and safe. It is also recommended to ask a doctor what to expect from treatment and what should be done if new symptoms arise.

Everyone in the cycle of patient safety plays a role, from patient to hospitals, nursing homes and doctors’ offices, to social service providers and caregivers. Sometimes the transition between each level of care is as critical to ensuring safety, so each person must be treated with safety and quality in mind no matter the setting. Reducing hospital readmissions and complications during transition, especially for patients with multiple health concerns, is key.

“Unfortunately, when patients are not informed and given the professional standard of care, they can be left with serious injuries from medical malpractice and sometimes families are left to deal with a wrongful death,” said Stratton. “Many of these incidents could have been prevented, and we applaud the Patient Safety Awareness Week to help lessen healthcare acquired conditions.”

To learn more, visit the Connecticut personal injury law firm at http://www.strattonfaxon.com.

Stratton Faxon
59 Elm Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Call: 203.624.9500

[mappress mapid=”49″]

[iframe http://www.strattonfaxon.com/ 100% 500px]