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Be_Our_Partner_In_Safety
Select options below to view quality measures:

Be Our Partner in Safety

Together, we’re better. Great care depends on partnership among all members of the care team, including patients. We encourage every patient to be engaged in care.

You are at the center of your care team

  • Ask questions.
  • Provide complete information about your medical history, including allergies, medicines and concerns.
  • Share the contact information of your physicians and pharmacies.
  • Activate MyChart and download the MyNM® app
  • Take ownership of your safety in the hospital:
    • Don’t get out of bed without the assistance of a caregiver.
    • Remind visitors and staff to clean their hands when they enter and leave your room.

To learn more about how you can contribute to your care, view information about advance directives.

Choose your care partners

Talk about your wishes with people who are important to you. Your family and friends can help represent you and make decisions if you are unable to do so. They can also:

  • Keep track of your medicine, treatments, upcoming visits and lab tests.
  • Gather information that the care team needs.
  • Ask questions.

Patient and Consumer Resources

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers information to help patients navigate the healthcare system.

Podcast: The Patient Role in Hospital Safety

Cynthia Barnard, PhD, Northwestern Medicine vice president of Quality, discusses the most common hospital-related injuries, what patients can do to help ensure a safe hospital stay, and what patients should do after discharge to continue recovery and avoid readmission.

Taking Charge of Your Healthcare

Taking Charge of Your Health Care: Your Path to Being an Empowered Patient is a toolkit that includes tips on navigating hospital discharge as a partner in care. It was created by Consumers Advancing Patient Safety.

Patients and Visitors

Northwestern Medicine resources to improve your health.

Access Northwestern Medicine clinical programs, education, support and problem-solving information.