Patient safety
Giving our patients care of the highest quality and safety is a point of pride for Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and is reflected in our high survival rates and receipt of the Joint Commission’s Golden Seal of Approval.
We know the best clinical outcomes can only be achieved in the safest possible environment, when health care providers, patients and their families work as partners.
We encourage you to report any concerns related to care, treatment, services, and patient safety at SCCA. Please tell your primary care team about your concerns.
Patient safety feedback
Please tell your primary care team if you have any concerns about patient safety.
Your safety is our number one priority.
SCCA is proactive in taking steps to reduce the possibility of errors occurring. It’s a team effort. We encourage you to ask questions and be actively involved in decisions about your health care.
The following tips are from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality “20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors:”
- Be an active member of your health care team—this is the single most important way you can help prevent errors.
- Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything that you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. Carry a list.
- Speak up if you have questions or concerns. Don’t hesitate to question anyone who is involved in your care.
- Ask a family member or friend to be there with you to be your advocate—someone who can help get things done and speak up if you can’t.
- If you have a test, ask about the results. Don’t assume that no news is good news.
- Ask all health care workers who have direct contact with you whether or not they washed their hands.
- Read how patients can help prevent health care errors by becoming active, involved, and informed participants in their health care.
Patient safety resources
Patient safety focuses on avoiding, preventing and decreasing the impact of adverse outcomes or injuries stemming from medical errors. Nearly 50 percent of the Joint Commission standards are directly related to patient safety. As part of our ongoing commitment to you, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) has made patient safety our first priority.
The following resources provide additional general information on patient safety. If you are at SCCA, you can use the computers in the Patient & Family Resource Center on the first floor to access online information.
National Patient Safety Foundation
www.npsf.org
An independent non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the safety of patients.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
www.ahrq.gov
The lead Federal agency charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare for all Americans. Read these publications from AHRQ:
- 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors
- 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children
- Five Steps to Safer Health Care
The Joint Commission
www.jointcommission.org
An independent nonprofit organization, the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care that focuses on improving the quality and safety of care provided by healthcare organizations. Read patient-safety information from the Joint Commission.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
www.ihi.org
A nonprofit organization leading the improvement of health care throughout the world.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
www.nccn.org
A nonprofit alliance of 27 of the world's leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research and education.
- Just Bag It! - NCCN campaign for safe vincristine handling
Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
www.doh.wa.gov
This department works with federal, state and local partners to help people in Washington stay healthier and safer.
Quality of care
SCCA strives to continually improve the quality and safety of the health care services our patients receive across all sites of care.
We are proud that SCCA has received the Joint Commission’s Golden Seal of Approval.
Fall prevention
Falls are a common problem among people with cancer, regardless of age. Some of the reasons for the increased risk of falls are:
- Certain medications
- Bone involvement of the cancer
- Dizziness
- Low blood counts
- Urinary or bowel changes
- Numbness in the feet from chemotherapy
People with cancer who fall are often more at risk of serious injury or even death because of bone weakness or low platelets.
Medication safety
As a patient or family member, you are a vital part of the healthcare team. You can ensure a safer experience by being involved in and informed about your treatment and medications. This requires continuous learning and constant communication between you and your caregivers. Your pharmacist is available to help provide information. Here are things that you can do to ensure safe medication use for yourself and your family.
The tips above are from the Joint Commission Web site. You can find more information through the patient-safety resources page.