Partnership Brings Patient Education Program to Community

Southcoast Hospitals are helping patients play a greater role in improving the quality, safety and effectiveness of their health care.

Southcoast is collaborating with The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence in an education program designed to help people be more active in taking care of their own health. The Partnership is a Massachusetts-based group of 50 leading health care organizations. It chose the South Coast as one of its pilot communities for the project.

As one part of the program, Southcoast is printing and distributing wallet-sized medication record cards. Patients can use these cards to keep an up-to-date list of their medications and other important health information. They should carry these cards with them at all times and show them to physicians and other health care workers. Doing so can help prevent dangerous drug interactions.

Other initiatives will promote medication safety, infection prevention and preparation for surgery.

The new program will include educational events at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center. Information also will be distributed at local pharmacies.

Cards are being distributed by the Southcoast Health Van and at many locations in the community.