Patient Safety Awareness Published Feb. 25, 2010 By Capt. Alison Thomas 341st Medical Group MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- In a concerted, nationwide effort to encourage and strengthen collaboration between patients, families, and their healthcare providers - and improve patient safety through collective action - 341st Medical Group is joining other leading healthcare organizations in celebration of Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 7-13, sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation. This year's theme is "Let's Talk! Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare". 341st Medical Group, will engage staff, patients and community by emphasizing the critical need for partnership and participation in the drive for a safer healthcare system. Programs highlighting new methods for improving the information exchange that occurs during patient/provider encounters will be launched and promoted throughout the course of the week. Patients are invited to stop by the medical group to take advantage of the Patient Safety Week awareness table that will have various informational brochures and flyers to help improve the effectiveness of their visits. Brochures will also be available in the patient waiting areas in each clinic. "Clear and open communication between patient and provider is at the very core of safe patient care, and is a vital component in keeping patients safe during their journey through the healthcare system," said Diane C. Pinakiewicz, MBA, President of the National Patient Safety Foundation. For additional information on Patient Safety Awareness Week, please visit www.npsf.org.