The Joint Commission launched a national campaign Friday to promote a patient's ability to understand information about healthcare.
Navigating the healthcare system can be daunting, and misunderstanding important medical information can potentially lead to life-threatening situations, the commission said. The campaign, "Understanding Your Caregivers," promotes health literacy, or a patient's ability to find and understand information necessary for making educated healthcare decisions. It's part of the commission's trademarked "Speak Up" program aimed at helping patients become more involved in their care.
"Proper communication is a cornerstone of safe, effective care," said commission President Mark Chassin, MD. "The Joint Commission strives to help give patients the tools they need to understand healthcare information and prevent misunderstandings that place them at risk."
The commission said complex forms, conversations with doctors, medication instructions and coping with a real or perceived lack of attention from hospital personnel all place high demands on patients. The negative impact of patients who lack health literacy can be profound when factored in with the growing number of patients with multiple chronic illnesses.
"Understanding Your Caregivers" offers patients questions and answers to help them better understand the care they receive. The basic foundation of Speak Up urges patients to:
• speak up if you have questions or concerns;
• ask questions if you don't understand something;
• pay attention to the care you are receiving;
• make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right healthcare professionals;
• don't assume anything, and stay educated about diagnoses and treatments;
• ask a trusted family member or friend to be an advocate;
• know the names of medications prescribed and what they are treating;
• and participate in all decisions about treatment.
"You are the center of the healthcare team," the commission tells patients.
The commission offers "Speak Up" brochures on understanding medical tests, recovering after leaving the hospital, preventing medication mistakes, preventing infections, preparing to become a living organ donor, avoiding wrong-site surgery and preventing other errors in care.