460th MDG joins effort to promote patient safety awareness Published March 11, 2010 By Lisa Iverson 460th Medical Group BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In a concerted, nationwide effort to encourage and strengthen collaboration between patients, families and their healthcare providers and improve patient safety through collective action, the 460th Medical Group is joining other leading healthcare organizations in celebration of Patient Safety Awareness Week March 7-13. This year's theme is "Let's Talk! Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare." The 460th MDG, a member of the National Patient Safety Foundation's Stand Up for Patient Safety program, will 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 throughout the course of the week. "Clear and open communication between patient and provider is at the very core of safe patient care, and is a vital component in keeping patients safe during their journey through the healthcare system," stated Diane Pinakiewicz, National Patient Safety Foundation president. "The 460th Medical Group is dedicated to providing quality care while working as a team among patients and staff. Successful teams need to be able to communicate; this year's theme addresses talking and communicating within the team," said Lt. Col. Gianna Zeh, 460th MDG. For additional information on Patient Safety Awareness Week, visit www.npsf.org. For information on the 460th MDG's participation, call Lisa Iverson at 847-9859.