NPSF Issues New Universal Patient Compact During Patient Safety Awareness Week

In a concerted, nationwide effort to encourage and strengthen collaboration between patients, families, and their healthcare providers -- and create a powerful team for improved patient safety -- the National Patient Safety Foundation will introduce the Universal Patient Compact during Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 8-14, 2009.

The Universal Patient Compact builds on the principles contained in the Patient Bill of Rights to establish a mutual covenant between healthcare providers and their patients. While the Patient Bill of Rights focuses on the patient perspective, the Compact is intended to create a clear understanding between the patient and the entire healthcare team about how they will work together.

Sparked by a unique roundtable discussion at the 2007 McKesson Nursing Leadership Congress, and developed by the National Patient Safety Foundation, the Compact speaks to the very essence of what should be expected from patients and providers alike. Although not a legal document, the Compact presents the principles for partnership that are integral to providing a care process that is truly patient and family-centered and respects the rights of patients.

The theme for Patient Safety Awareness Week 2009 is, fittingly, "A Prescription for Patient Safety: One Partnership, One Team," and the introduction of the Compact meshes perfectly with this critical mindset.

"The Compact moves the patient voice to where it needs to be - central to and integrated within the healthcare team - rather than outside it," says Diane Pinakiewicz, president of the National Patient Safety Foundation. "True partnering and strengthened relationships are the keys to delivering safe and high-quality care. We are optimistic and confident that the innovative and inclusive Universal Patient Compact will encourage adoption of this essential principle across healthcare."

"Clear communication between patient and provider is vital to safe patient care," says Mary Beth Navarra-Sirio, vice president and patient safety officer at McKesson Corporation. "We are pleased to have been a part of the formative conversations tied to this innovative and important document, and highly value our relationship with the National Patient Safety Foundation."

For additional information on the Universal Patient Compact and Patient Safety Awareness Week, visit www.npsf.org.

Held annually, Patient Safety Awareness Week is designed to 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 during the course of the week.

The National Patient Safety Foundation is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has been diligently pursuing one mission since its founding in 1997 -- to improve the safety of patients. NPSF also occupies a unique position by virtue of its inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach, which fosters collaboration on the issue of patient safety.