WAVE Program Aims to Improve Patient Safety

January 26, 2012

Last fall, AARC announced its pledge to improve patient safety when it joined the Partnership for Patients initiative sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (link to article dated October 19, 2011). The goals of the Partnership program are to reduce hospital-acquired conditions and hospital readmissions caused by preventable complications during transition from one care setting to another.

The Office of Healthcare Quality (OHQ) and the Partnership for Patients recently announced the official release of the WAVE campaign. WAVE stands for:

“W”–Wash Hands

“A”–Ask Questions

“V”–Vaccinate

“E”–Ensure Safety

The WAVE brochure and wallet card are designed so that family members and caregivers can educate themselves about healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the steps they can take to protect their loved ones. The AARC encourages respiratory therapists to talk with their provider about ways in which these materials can be used for their patients.

WAVE materials are available several ways:

Electronically: http://www.healthcare.gov/compare/partnership-for-patients/resources/conditions.html#wave.

For ease of access to these materials, just click on this badge. You can also use this badge to share the WAVE materials through your own network.

Printer – Ready Files (for reprinting): OHQ@hhs.gov or ann.bradley@hhs.gov.

CMS Product Clearance Website: Providers may access printed copies of these products by visiting the CMS product-ordering website and registering for access to these documents. Go to http://productordering.cms.hhs.gov*.

*If you do not have an account already, please create one and wait 48 hours before trying to access your account after registration. You’ll receive an email confirming that you have been approved and then can go back to the website and order bulk copies of the printed posters (Horizontal poster—Product number 11599 or Vertical poster—Product number 11601), wallet cards (Product number 11603), and brochures (Product number 11602).

Catch the WAVE today and, if you have questions, please contact OHQ@HHS.gov .