Senate Resolution No. 736

BY: Senator HANNON

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
March 12-18, 2017, as Patient Safety Awareness Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
official weeks established to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of all New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 12-18, 2017, as Patient
Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observation of National Patient Safety Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, The mission of Patient Safety Awareness Week is to promote
education and communication about patient safety, as well as
partnerships between patients and healthcare providers to improve
safety; consumers and healthcare providers must work together to reduce
the rate of medical errors; and

WHEREAS, Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and
awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient
Safety Foundation (NPSF); each year, health care organizations around
the globe take part in this auspicious event by prominently displaying
the NPSF campaign logo and promotional materials within their
organizations, creating awareness in the community, and utilizing NPSF
educational resources among hospital staff and patients; and

WHEREAS, From patients to care providers, from the front lines to
the executive suite, from the patient and family advocate to the
corporate solutions provider, everyone is united in the goal of keeping
patients and those who care for them free from harm; and

WHEREAS, The focus of the campaign is patient engagement and
emphasizes the importance of the relationship between providers and
patients and their families; enhanced communication begins with an
informed and engaged patient and helps to lead to safer care; and

WHEREAS, Deaths resulting from medical errors occur each year,
accounting for more deaths than are caused by breast cancer, AIDS, and
auto accidents combined; and

WHEREAS, Continued improvement in patient safety is the
responsibility of everyone, and is attainable through maintaining open
communication between patients, doctors and other individuals and
organizations related to the medical field; and

WHEREAS, By recognizing Patient Safety Awareness Week, it is hoped
that more New Yorkers will become vigilant in ensuring that the rate of
medical errors will decrease; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 12-18, 2017, as

Patient Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.