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The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence Hosts Series of Free Medication Safety Events in Three Communities

July 21, 2008 – Boston, MA – The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence (the Partnership) kicked off a 6-month consumer education campaign in three communities in Massachusetts by hosting a series of events designed to help consumers find ways to improve the quality of their health care. 

On June 30, the Partnership co-sponsored an event focused on the importance of medication safety with the New Bedford Community Health Center.  Attendees listened to a short presentation on staying medication safe by a pharmacist and had the opportunity to talk privately with medical experts concerning their medication questions, and received assistance filling out medication lists for themselves and their families.

"Keeping members of our community healthy is a high priority for the City of New Bedford," said Mayor Scott W. Lang.  "I am pleased to welcome the Partnership to New Bedford and look forward to supporting their important work in our community."

On July 7, State Senator Harriette Chandler joined the Partnership, MassMedline and the YMCA in Worcester to introduce the Partnership's second medication safety event.

"This medication safety event offered jointly by the Partnership and MassMedline is a great way for individuals and families to get educated about how they can take better care of themselves," said Senator Chandler. 

In Beverly on July 21, Mayor William Scanlon Jr., introduced the third medication safety event, a collaboration with the Beverly Council on Aging, Beverly Hospital, and MassMedline.  "The need for what the Partnership is doing is clear," said Mayor Scanlon.  "These medication safety events will educate Beverly's residents about specific things they can do to make sure the care they receive is safe and effective."

The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to helping Massachusetts consumers improve the quality of health care they and their families receive.  The Partnership has a 50-member Leadership Council that includes physician leaders, nurses, hospitals, public health and patient advocates, providers, insurers, business leaders, as well as representatives from civic and community organizations from across the state.  

The Partnership is focusing its public education efforts in three Massachusetts communities: New Bedford, Salem/Beverly and Worcester.  The Partnership is working closely with hospitals and community health centers in each to engage consumers in the community.

"Patients who are informed and engaged ask more questions, and are more likely to be healthy," said Marilyn Schlein Kramer, Executive Director of the Partnership for Healthcare Excellence.  "In the coming months, the Partnership will be hosting events and distributing information that will help people improve the quality of care they and their families receive."

The Partnership's initial outreach is focused on medication safety. According to the Institute of Medicine, more than 1.5 million Americans are harmed by medication errors each year.  Many of these errors are preventable, and consumers can take simple steps to help protect themselves from these errors. 

"Medication safety means taking the right medication, at the right time in the right way," said Mary Sullivan, PharmD and Director of the MassMedline program.  "Doing so can improve your health and possibility save the lives of you and your loved ones."

The Partnership offers the following tips to stay healthy by being medication smart.  For additional information visit: www.partnershipforhealthcare.org.

• Keep a complete, up-to-date list of all your medications in your wallet, along with lists for your loved ones.
• Know why you are taking each medication.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about all the medications you take.
• Use the same pharmacy each time to refill your prescriptions.
• Make sure you get the correct medication before leaving the pharmacy.
• Take your medications only as prescribed.

The Partnership also hosted a Portuguese medication safety event at the Casa da Saudade in New Bedford and is currently planning a Spanish event in Worcester for next month. 

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ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence is the first statewide effort of its kind to focus specifically on patients – helping them to play a greater role in improving the quality of their health care.  The Partnership is a broad-based coalition with participants from every segment of the health care community.  Its members include consumer associations, disease and advocacy organizations, doctors, nurses, insurers, business groups, labor, public health advocates and other health care leaders.   For more information, including a complete listing of members of the Leadership Council, please visit www.partnershipforhealthcare.org.

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