New Speak Up™ About Your Medications
A new educational campaign from The Joint Commission, Speak Up™ About Your Medications, focuses on how medication safety is a team effort. Patients, doctors, pharmacists and other caregivers all have a role in giving the right medication, in the correct dosage, while avoiding bad reactions.
The campaign covers:
- The importance of having, updating and appropriately sharing your medication list.
- Questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist about new medications.
- Tips for the safe use of medication both at home and in the hospital.
- Tips for safely storing and disposing of medications.
The educational resources for this new Speak Up campaign include:
- An infographic in three sizes (8.5x11, 11x17 and 24x36).
- An animated video to incorporate in healthcare facilities.
- A distribution guide with recommendations on how healthcare organizations can use and provide the materials for patients and their families, caregivers, and advocates.
The infographic and video are available in both English and Spanish. The materials are free to reproduce and disseminate if credited to The Joint Commission.
Launched in 2002, the award-winning Speak Up program has been used in more than 70 countries. It encourages patients to be their own advocates and to:
- Speak up
- Pay attention
- Educate yourself
- Advocates (family members and friends) can help
- Know about your new medicine
- Use a quality health care organization
- Participate in all decisions about your care