Declare Patient Safety Week

Senate Resolution No. 736 BY: Senator HANNON MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 12-18, 2017, as Patient Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official weeks established to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 12-18, 2017, as Patient Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observation of National Patient Safety Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, The mission of Patient Safety Awareness Week is to promote education and communication about patient safety, as well as partnerships between patients and healthcare providers to improve safety; consumers and healthcare providers must work together to reduce the rate of medical errors; and WHEREAS, Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF); each year, health care organizations around the globe take part in this auspicious event by prominently displaying the NPSF campaign logo and promotional materials within their organizations, creating awareness in the community, and utilizing NPSF educational resources among hospital staff and patients; and WHEREAS, From patients to care providers, from the front lines to the executive suite, from the patient and family advocate to the corporate solutions provider, everyone is united in the goal of keeping patients and those who care for them free from harm; and WHEREAS, The focus of the campaign is patient engagement and emphasizes the importance of the relationship between providers and patients and their families; enhanced communication begins with an informed and engaged patient and helps to lead to safer care; and WHEREAS, Deaths resulting from medical errors occur each year, accounting for more deaths than are caused by breast cancer, AIDS, and auto accidents combined; and WHEREAS, Continued improvement in patient safety is the responsibility of everyone, and is attainable through maintaining open communication between patients, doctors and other individuals and organizations related to the medical field; and WHEREAS, By recognizing Patient Safety Awareness Week, it is hoped that more New Yorkers will become vigilant in ensuring that the rate of medical errors will decrease; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 12-18, 2017, as Patient Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.