National Patient Safety Awareness Week: 3 Tips to Keep in Mind

National Patient Safety Awareness Week: 3 Tips to Keep in Mind

Velocity Urgent Care Puts Safety First  Studies have shown that patients have better health outcomes when they are actively involved with their treatment. By working together, doctors, nurses, and patients can develop a plan of care that is both safe and effective. Each year, National Patient Safety Awareness Week puts a spotlight on healthcare safety and it is a perfect time to encourage everyone to get active and involved in their care. If you are in need of care, please call or visit your nearest Velocity Urgent Care location today.

In honor of National Patient Safety Awareness Week, here are three tips to keep in mind when visiting a healthcare practitioner.

Tip #1: Speak Up

Perhaps the most important step you can take to improve the safety of your care is to speak your mind. Don’t be afraid to voice a worry you might have, as our doctors and nurses are ready and willing to listen to their patient’s concerns.

Asking a healthcare professional about your condition should never feel embarrassing. For example, while it may be uncomfortable to come in for an STD screening, our healthcare providers are happy to explain your condition and treatment or answer any questions you might have.

Finally, don’t hesitate to speak up when you have an issue. Your practitioner will only know for certain that something is wrong if you tell them. Voicing these issues could be the difference between a positive outcome and a negative one.

Tip #2: Understand the Process

Because urgent healthcare providers have to see many patients quickly, people might assume that they don’t want to help. This isn’t true. Our practitioners focus on providing you with a basic understanding of how everything works so that your expectations for your visit and care are met. Before you arrive, try to write down a list of questions or concerns you have to ensure that you still receive top-notch care during your visit. This makes it easy to address those topics without feeling rushed or frazzled. With that being said if you know that you’ll need more time than a usual appointment with your provider, plan ahead. Many offices will allow you to schedule a non-standard appointment so that you have plenty of time to discuss your concerns.

It’s worth noting that some things in healthcare don’t make sense without the medical knowledge to back it up. For instance, a doctor may need to give a vaccine somewhere other than your arm if there isn’t enough muscle mass. Although this might seem strange, it is perfectly safe to do so. This relates to the first tip: If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask. Doing so will help you better understand the process next time.

Tip #3: Be Engaged

Whether you’re in an urgent situation or just getting a routine checkup, it is vital to stay engaged throughout the entirety of your visit.

Instead of waiting to be told what to do, taking a more proactive approach can help lead to better outcomes. Be prepared with a list of questions and don’t be afraid to ask about a treatment you’ve heard of that may be applicable. This helps you and your provider explore every option so that you can get the treatment plan that is best for you.

Patient engagement notifies your practitioner of what you do and do not know and is crucial when it comes to receiving the proper care you need.

Safety is Velocity Urgent Care’s Number One Priority.

When you trust us with your care, we take that responsibility seriously. Whether you’re coming in for a stuffy nose, a broken bone, or a work-related screening, our team of friendly board-certified providers is ready to help. We will listen to your concerns and work with you to develop the best plan of treatment. We are happy to answer questions and will keep you informed during every step of the process.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking serious safety precautions to ensure that our locations are as clean as possible. We’ve put strict sterilization protocols into place and are carefully handling patients who may be contagious to ensure that every clinic is safe for those who need urgent medical care or wellness screenings.

Velocity Urgent Care offers convenient online registration that helps you limit your contact with others during a visit. You can sign up for an appointment online ahead of time and arrive when it’s time to be seen to skip the waiting room. We even offer text message updates so you can wait in the car (if you prefer) until it’s time for your appointment.

Velocity Urgent Care is an in-network provider for most major insurance plans, meaning you can be seen for the cost of your co-pay and deductible. All of our locations also accept Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare. Veterans Administration beneficiaries are also welcome.

To learn more about National Patient Safety Awareness or to schedule an appointment, please call your nearest location or visit our locations page here.