Partnering with families and patient advocates: another line of defense in adverse event surveillance.
ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Acute Care Edition. August 1, 2019;24.
Having family members or patient advocates present during hospitalizations can help prevent errors. This newsletter article suggests that utilizing this risk prevention strategy in peripheral care areas such as radiology and other testing units could also prevent patient harm. Recommendations to ensure success of this approach include communicating with advocates, encouraging them to speak up, and activating a rapid response to patient deterioration.