From October 24 to October 28, 2022, Canadians across the country will participate in Patient Safety Week. This week, first celebrated in 2005, is observed to spark improvements to patient safety and to the quality of care provided to patients. While this week is relevant to any Canadian who engages with the healthcare system, Patient Safety Week also has a special pertinence for members of the palliative care community. Specifically, Patient Safety Week is important for all those who provide care to individuals with a life-limiting illness. Many individuals with a life-limiting condition rely on loved ones to look after them. Family caregivers make up an important part of palliative care providers in Canada. In many situations, individuals with a life-limiting illness feel most comfortable being cared for by their loved ones, as they have developed loving relationships with these individuals. However, many family caregivers do not have formal healthcare training when they step into their role as a healthcare provider. An important part of Patient Safety Week is ensuring that all healthcare providers have access to the necessary education, training and resources to provide effective and high-quality treatment. This alone is vital in ensuring patient safety. Family caregivers providing support in a hospice setting are an especially important group to consider, as many are not previously trained as healthcare professionals. In order to ensure that individuals with a life-limiting illness receive the care they require as they reach the end of their life, the necessary resources must be made available to informal health care providers, such as the family members that care for their ill loved ones. Resources could include information on how to administer medicine, maintain records of a patient’s condition and respond to emergency situations. This goes a long way towards prioritizing the safety of all patients, regardless of the severity of their health condition. This year's theme "Press Play on Safety Conversations" focuses on having safety conversations followed up by actions for safer care in older adults. If you have an interest in conversations about patient safety, you can tune into the award winning PATIENT Podcast series created by Canadian Patient Safety Institute. You can also join the conversation on social media at #CPSW2022. Canadian Patient Safety Week October 24 - 28, 2022
Giving Thanks How to Find Gratitude When Grieving
Thanksgiving is celebrated this month and for many it will be a day spent by giving thanks with family and friends. But for anyone sad about the loss of an important person in their life, the holidays can magnify the grief. How can a person 'give thanks' when they are grieving? While it doesn't feel natural to practice gratitude when we are grieving, being grateful can actually help us with our healing. When life is painful, reminding ourselves of the good things that exist can actually be a good way to bring joy back into our lives. Some suggestions are to recognize the little things to be grateful for, find one thing each day to be thankful for, keep a daily gratitude journal and share memories and experiences with others.
For a more inclusive list, follow the link for ideas on how to find gratitude when grieving.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs