We accessorize. We talk back. We I.D.
      Ask Me Why.
      No two employees at Children’s may respond alike.
      “Because my badge tells others who I am and what my qualifications are.”
      “Because it’s important for me to read back verbal and telephone orders.”
      “Because I need to properly identify a patient before providing any care.”
      But while the responses may differ, the underlying answer is the same: Because patient safety is the top priority at Children’s.
      Children’s kicked off the “Ask Me Why” campaign during National Healthcare Quality Week in 2006 to demonstrate a commitment to safety and to remind others that everyone can play an important role in patient safety. The campaign uses posters with clever slogans to encourage patient family interaction with caregivers about safety.
      In addition to the posters, staff and employees are wearing buttons that read “Ask Me Why” to urge parents and visitors to ask questions. The campaign covers everything from hand hygiene to proper identification to privacy.
      “By educating families and inviting them to ask questions about the care their child is receiving, they become involved members of the safety team,” said Dr. Fiona Levy, vice president of Quality at Children’s. “We want to empower parents and visitors to find out what physicians, nurses and hospital staff are doing to protect their child.”
      The “Ask Me Why” campaign will continue long past Quality Week, Dr. Levy said. New messages are being distributed on a continuing basis to address safety topics for visitors, families, employees and medical staff members.

Resources
Children’s knows that as a parent, you have several rights — including the right to ask questions. To learn more about the rights of parents and patients, click here.

Still have questions? If you need some guidance on what questions to ask your doctor, your employer, your healthcare plan representative, managed care plan representative, family or friends, click here.