Ensuring patient safety is an essential part of providing high-quality health care and is a top priority for UI Health Care. Across the nation, health care systems will celebrate National Patient Safety Awareness Week, an annual health observance, from March 15 to March 19. National Patient Safety Awareness Week serves to increase awareness about patient safety and recognize the fantastic work by all of you and our great organization.

As we approach Patient Safety Awareness Week, please take the opportunity to reflect on the many ways in which we contribute to safe, high-quality patient care. The Quality Improvement Program has planned virtual events throughout the week to acknowledge and celebrate efforts to improve patient safety. I encourage all of you to participate.

I would also ask that you take some time to reflect on the unprecedented challenges that all health care systems have experienced this past year. Pausing to reflect will help you appreciate and be humbled by the power of team, by the power of the collective voice, and by the power of leadership that resides in each and every one of us to rise up and respond to such challenges.

It is by working together that we have and will continue to change health care. Please stay tuned to The Loop for details on UI Health Care National Patient Safety Awareness Week celebrations.

Thank you for all that you do each and every day!

– Theresa Brennan, MD