Introduction
Patients today are not only more informed than ever before, but they seek to be proactive participants in their health care by seeking greater control over their healing process (Shipman, 2010). This view is reinforced by The Joint Commission, who has rolled out the Speak Up program with the aim to support patients and their advocates become more informed and involved in the health care process (The Joint Commission, n.d.). It is the aim of this paper to review and critique an undated brochure by The Joint Commission titled “Help Prevent Errors in your Care.” The information contained in this brochure will go a long way to assist adult patients to take steps towards ensuring that they become active participants in the care process.
Summary of the Brochure
Available literature demonstrates that process errors, such as diagnostic errors made by physicians, pose the most common threat to patient safety (Sammer et al, 2010). Towards ameliorating this deficit, the reviewed brochure comes up with advice on how patients can become active participants in the decisions made concerning their health. In particular, the brochure encourages patients to: speak up when faced with questions or concerns; pay attention to the care provided by ensuring they get the right treatments; educate themselves about their illnesses, the medical tests they get, and the treatment plan; engage the services of a close family member/friend to act as an advocate or advisor in the care process; have prior knowledge of the medicine they take and the reason behind taking them to avoid medical errors; use accredited health institutions to ensure quality standards, and; participate in all decisions made regarding their treatment (The Joint Commission, n.d.).
Evaluation of the Brochure
The Joint Commission has been effective in presenting the information in a succinct and easily understandable manner, implying that this information can be readily digested by a wide allay of patients. In the presentation, the Commission has also scored highly in underlining the critical importance of patient participation in the care process. However, some points should have been presented together to avoid repetition and achieve ease of flow considering the fact that most patients may not have the time or energy to go through the whole brochure.
Availing information on what patients should do to increase their safety in the health care process is important not only because it enhances the recovery process, but it increases the quality of life of these patients and reduces medical errors (Sammer et al, 2010). This observation informed the choice of topic.
The information contained in the brochure is beneficial and should be incorporated in patient education because most patients lack the right information to facilitate their participation in the health care process (Sammer et al, 2010). This brochure will therefore serve as an eye opener to such patients, not mentioning that it intrinsically educates them on the critical points to engage in the care process.
The information contained in the brochure has been presented clearly and succinctly, implying that the intended audience will be able to synthesize the information contained in the brochure and put it into practice. Here it is imperative to note that this brochure is intended for adult patients who are in constant need of health care services.
It is indeed clear that the information will go a long way to increase patient safety. Due to inadequate knowledge and ineffective communication channels, most patients continue to carry the perception that medical personnel should not be subjected to any form of questioning as they always know what they are doing (Shipman, 2010). This brochure proves this assertion wrong, and goes ahead to encourage patients to question the rationale of various medical processes used on them and the efficacy of the medicines given. Such a proactive disposition on the part of patients reduces medical errors, and hence increases patient safety (Sammer et al, 2010).
Conclusion
From the review, it is clear that the brochure deals with ways through which patients could become more informed and involved in their health care. It has been revealed that such participation not only reduces medical errors by ensuring that patients get the right kind of treatment options, but it enhances their quality of life and enlighten them on what treatment strategies are best for them, and the health institutions to visit. Having the right kind of information is also critical to the patients’ recovery process.
Reference List
Sammer, C.E., Lykens, K., Singh, K.P., Mains, D.A., & Lackan, N.A. (2010). What is patient safety culture? A review of literature. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 42(2), 156-165.
Shipman, B. (2010). The role of communication in the patient-physician relationship. Journal of Legal Medicine, 31(4), 433-442.
The Joint Commission. (n.d.). Help prevent errors in your care. The Speak UP Program.