Getting the Health Care You Deserve
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-12-19 16:13:30.498617-05:00
Last year, Massachusetts made history by mandating that its residents have health care coverage. Now, the Commonwealth must take the next step - making sure medical care provided to its residents is of the highest quality possible.
The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence
AARP is part of a new statewide initiative, The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence. The Partnership is uniquely focused on helping Massachusetts consumers improve the quality of their health care. It includes physicians, nurses, hospitals, patient and consumer advocacy groups, educators, businesses, labor leaders, public health analysts and many others - people from all corners of the health care system working together to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of health care in Massachusetts.
Preventing Medical Errors
According to The Partnership, nearly one in five Massachusetts adults has experienced a medical error - while 52 percent know someone who has. A strong barrier to prevent medical errors and improve health care quality is an informed, empowered and engaged patient.
"Motivating patients and caregivers to become actively engaged in their own health care is one of the best ways to improve the safety and effectiveness of care," says AARP Massachusetts State Director Deborah Banda.
Online Resources for Healthcare Consumers
The Partnership recently launched a new website to make it easier for health care consumers to become active and engaged in their own care. The Web site features information, tools and tips to help patients and caregivers to help them:
- Find a doctor
- Prepare for medical appointments
- Take medications safely
- Prepare for surgery
- Compare hospital quality and patient satisfaction ratings
- Learn more about issues affecting health care quality
- Find additional resources and tools from trusted sources
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