Patient Safety Resources for Consumers, Patients and Families

When you need health care, it's very important to look for information to help you make smart decisions. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to make sense of the many sources of information that are out there. This section of the Web site contains information that is designed to help patients and their families make those important choices, and to learn more about patient safety.

• Consumer Guide to Adverse Health Events (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions: Adverse Events
• Minnesota’s 29 Reportable Adverse Health Events

Asking questions

• Create a list of questions for your provider (US Dept. of Health and Human Services)
• Speak Up Campaigns | The Joint Commission

Preventing Medication Errors

• FDA Working to Reduce Medication Errors
• FDA Safe Use Initiative
• FDA Information Consumers and Patients Drugs 
• Medicines Risk Fact Sheet - My Medications List (CDC)
  Download a copy of this form to track your medications.

Preventing Wrong Site Surgery

• Safety in the Operating Room (PDF)
  Credit: Minnesota Hospital Association
• Adverse Health Events Facts: Retained Objects
• Adverse Health Events Fact: Wrong-Site Surgery

Preventing Pressure Ulcers

• Adverse Health Events Facts: Pressure Ulcers
• Preventing Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores) (PDF) 

Links and Reports

• Patient Safety Links
  Links to sites to learn more about what is happening in Minnesota and nationally to improve patient safety.
• Adverse health events reports and facts