Medical group hosts Patient Safety Awareness Week Published Feb. 28, 2014 By Courtesy of 42nd Medical Group 42nd Medical Group MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- courage the engagement of patients, families, healthcare providers and the public, the 42nd Medical Group is participating in the 2014 Patient Safety Awareness Week campaign. Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 2-8 is an annual education and awareness campaign for healthcare safety. Each year, healthcare organizations around the world take part in the event, creating awareness in their communities and among staff. This year's theme, "Navigate Your Health ... Safety" highlights the need for healthcare providers to ensure patients and consumers are more engaged in the healthcare process, whether visiting the doctor for a routine exam or entering the hospital for surgery. Everyone will be a patient at some point in life. This aspect of our lives should be approached like any other important journey with communication and careful planning. "Navigate your Health ... Safely" reminds everyone providing safe patient care can best be achieved when patients are a key part of the team and take an active role in their care. 42nd Medical Group will engage staff, patients and the community through educational and awareness-building activities specific to understanding cultural competency. Now, more than ever, a focus on empowering patients and strengthening patient-provider communications is of paramount priority. Equally important is the need to understand the impact of cultural diversity on patient safety. During Patient Safety Week, 42nd Medical Group patients will be given information on how to be involved, informed and invested in their healthcare. The 42nd Medical Group is committed to patient safety. The patient safety manager, Kimbley Headspeth, is available to address any patient safety issues. For more details call 953-9007 or email Kimbley.Headspeth.ctr@us.af.mil.