Canadian Patient Safety Week

Bathurst, October 28, 2015 – Vitalité Health Network is reiterating its commitment to patient safety through Canadian Patient Safety Week. This awareness-raising activity, sponsored by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), is taking place from October 26 to 30, 2015.

“Risk surrounds us. Let’s be alert! This is Vitalité Health Network’s theme,” explained President and Chief Executive Officer Gilles Lanteigne. “We work as teams in complex, demanding, and dynamic environments, which is why the strength of interdisciplinary – in partnership with patients – and clear and effective communication are essential to safe health care.”  Mr. Lanteigne continued by giving some advice on the subject of appointments with health professionals. “When seeing health professionals make sure to give them a list of all your medications and don’t hesitate to ask them to wash their hands.” 

As part of this national event, the CPSI is striving to raise awareness of the issues around patient safety through its slogan “Ask. Listen. Talk.” This year, the fact that good communication is good for your health is being highlighted.

“Although patient safety is an integral part of our daily activities, the Network is capitalizing on Canadian Patient Safety Week to focus greater attention on patient safety. Our patients are at the heart of our efforts, and we must be vigilant in how we deliver our care and services,” Mr. Lanteigne added.

Did you know that:

  • Between 9,000 and 24,000 inpatients die every year in Canada as a result of preventable adverse events;
  • Canadian researchers (Baker et al., 2004) have determined that the incidence of preventable adverse events in acute care is 7.5% and that 51.4% of these cases involve surgical patients;
  • A Canada-wide home care study found a 10% to 13% annual adverse event rate among home care patients, with 56% of these events deemed preventable. The most common undesirable events at home include falls, medication errors, and infections.

This is why the Network will be holding various activities throughout the week. Information booths in the Network’s hospital facilities will give patients, employees, physicians, volunteers, and visitors access to literature and advice on the safe delivery of care.