Families of loved ones receiving medical treatment are encouraged to be more vocal and ask questions.
That was the main focus during a patient safety seminar held Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Resort, which was hosted jointly by the Guam Healthcare and Hospital Development Foundation and the Mayors Council.Â
About 300 people attended the conference, ranging from nurses, doctors to even private citizens who are primary care givers of patients while at home.
Main speaker for the event was Ilene Corrina, president of PULSE of NY, a non-profit organization whose goal is to ensure that patients are given the right medical treatment and to reduce medical errors.
Corrina touched on the case of one of her sons who died from a medical error after a tonsillectomy several years ago. Â
Mayors Council Vice President Robert Hoffmann was pleased with the turnout, especially from the military. “People are very happy to see the Navy here, because they deal a lot with our veterans,†he said.
He said there were some matters brought up such as a “stigma†around doctors and nurses.
“They won’t say anything, but in the parking lot they’ll say did you see what they did to mom? How come they did that to dad?†he said. Â
Winnie Butler, caregiver for her husband Carl Butler who has diabetes felt the seminar made her feel more empowered and yet at ease when it comes to the health care of her husband.
“I’m his proxy and advocate and now I don’t feel guilty if I speak up. If I have so many questions about his treatment, I always monitor what the doctors are doing as well as the nurses,†she said.
Dr. Vincent Duenas, chief of staff of the medical staff at the Guam Memorial Hospital, found the information presented interesting.
“It’s systemic. It’s all over at any hospital. GMH certainly has some of those issues that we need to take a look at such as medication errors and being transparent in providing information for patients. But I think all hospitals should be honed in on that and GMH certainly can learn from the information obtained,†he said.
In the meantime, Hoffman said the Mayors Council signed a proclamation just before the seminar declaring March 7 through the 12 as Guam Patient Safety Awareness Week. Â
The Sinajana vice mayor said that they will be providing workshops in the villages on patient safety awareness.
They will also educate villagers about options they have when it comes to health care treatment. Â
For more information about these meetings, residents are encouraged to call their respective village mayor.
