Safer Together
At the core of Project Firstline Mississippi’s mission lies a dedication to safety and our goal to prevent and reduce the spread of infectious diseases and illnesses. In recognition of these efforts, as well as those of countless healthcare workers throughout our state, we are pleased to spotlight Patient Safety Awareness Week! This year’s theme, “Safer Together,” aligns with Project Firstline’s overall objective, emphasizing the importance of safe collaboration among the interprofessional healthcare team. Project Firstline Mississippi is committed to protecting the well-being of patients and healthcare workers by mitigating and minimizing the risk of healthcare-associated infections, which can lead to harm. This commitment is achieved through the dissemination of education and resources on infection prevention and control to all frontline healthcare workers. From healthcare workers to patients and their families, everyone plays an important role in prioritizing patient safety and enhancing overall quality of care.
Patient Safety Awareness Week emphasizes the significance of patient safety while highlighting the actions healthcare workers can take to remain vigilant in protecting patients and preventing harm. In addition, healthcare personnel are encouraged to educate themselves, so they are familiar with their work environment to recognize reduce risks and take preventative actions to keep their patients, coworkers and themselves safe.
Why is Patient Safety Awareness Week Important?
Patient safety has seen tremendous progress, but medical harm continues to remain a leading global cause of death. In the United States alone, an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 deaths occur annually related to preventable harms or errors1. At Project Firstline, we recognize that a portion of this medical harm may be caused by the spread of infection in healthcare settings. These harms can not only affect a patient’s physical health, but also their mental health, financial well-being, and family relationships. Preventing harm by doing our collective due diligence to mitigate or stop the spread of infection is a great responsibility that has tremendous impacts. And we can achieve it by adhering to infection control fundamentals.
Project Firstline Mississippi commends healthcare organizations across the state for their efforts to ensure the safety of those in their care. As healthcare professionals, we should strive to enhance safety in all aspects of patient care, particularly in interprofessional collaborative practice. By fostering effective collaboration among healthcare professionals, we can streamline the integration of optimal safety practices. This week acts as a reminder of the most important component of healthcare – the patient. All of us at Project Firstline Mississippi appreciate all frontline healthcare workers and their ongoing dedication to patient safety!
For information on how you and your team can participate in Patient Safety Awareness Week, visit: https://www.ihi.org/initiatives/patient-safety-awareness-week.
Project Firstline Mississippi, developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is an innovative outreach program designed to promote foundational knowledge on infection prevention and control for all types of frontline healthcare workers.
1James, John T. PhD. A New, Evidence-based Estimate of Patient Harms Associated with Hospital Care. Journal of Patient Safety 9(3):p 122-128, September 2013. | DOI: 10.1097/PTS.0b013e3182948a69
