For Release:
Immediate (Monday, April 02, 2007)

Contact:
Collin Parker
Fletcher Allen Public Relations
802-847-2886

BURLINGTON, VT – On Monday, April 2nd, Fletcher Allen Health Care launched its “Speak Up” Campaign, sponsored by the Joint Commission with support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Joint Commission is a national organization that sets standards for health care and accredits hospitals throughout the United States.

“Speak Up” offers suggestions and encourages patients to be active participants in their health care and help improve the safety of their care.  For more information, please visit the Fletcher Allen Web site at http://www.fletcherallen.org.

To view the Speak Up brochure, please click here.

"As many of you know, Fletcher Allen has had a long-standing commitment to quality improvement and patient safety,” said Fletcher Allen’s Chief Quality Officer John Brumsted, M.D.  “As health care professionals, it is incumbent upon us to encourage our patients to ask questions, to listen to their comments and concerns, and to partner with them as we seek to improve patient safety.”

The seven main suggestions of the program form the acronym SPEAK UP:
     -Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again.
     -Pay attention to the care you are receiving.
     -Educate yourself about your diagnosis, medical tests, and your treatment.
     -Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
     -Know the different medications you take and why you take them.
     -Understand Fletcher Allen’s experience in treating your type of illness.
     -Participate in all decisions about your treatment.

Research indicates that patients who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to have better outcomes.

“This campaign is one of the many ways we are strengthening our quality and patient safety efforts,” said Dr. Brumsted.  “Fletcher Allen has had a designated department of quality improvement since its inception, and now engages in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives on a daily basis through the work of the James M. Jeffords Institute for Quality and Operational Effectiveness.”

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