• Joint Commission Sentinel Events Statistics - May 2009 
The Joint Commission recently released statistics on the number of sentinel events reported annually, through the first quarter of 2009. If the trend of the first quarter of 2009 continues, there will be a 44% increase in the number of reported events since 2007.

• FDA to Meet with Drug Companies about REMS for Certain Opioid Drugs
Information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

• Questions Are The Answer - Get More Involved In Your Health Care
Questions Are The Answer - Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Clinicians, the Government, and many other groups are working hard to improve health care quality, but improving health care quality is a team effort. You can improve your care and the care of your loved ones by taking an active role in your health care. Ask questions. Understand your condition. Evaluate your options.

• Patient Safety: Tips to Help you Safeguard Your Health
Information from the North American Spine Society

• 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children 
Tips for protecting your children - Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors 
A guide for Consumers - Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• "Speak Up" about Pain
Joint Commission Urges Patients to "Speak Up" about Pain, News Release dated September 16, 2008

• "Speak Up" Brochure 
Informational brochure for patients about speaking up about pain management, prepared by the Joint Commission.

• Five Steps to Safer Health Care 
Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Judges Uphold Prohibition on Doctors Having Sex With Patients
Even if a patient consents to a sexual relationship with his or her healthcare provider, that provider is still guilty of criminal coercion if the relationship was continued contrary to the accepted ethical standards of healthcare providers, the Court of Appeals said in a decision released on May 18, 2008.

• Handwashing - Article by Christine L. Case, Ed.D., Microbiology Professor at Skyline College
This fascinating article is about the importance of handwashing amongst physicians and midwives as far back as the 1840's, and how advocates of this simple task were met with resistance.

• Michigan Hospital Association Patient Safety Organization
The MHA Patient Safety Organization (PSO) is a not-for-profit (501c3) corporation that seeks to improve patient safety and quality for all Michigan residents. The MHA PSO collaborates with providers to implement evidence-based best practices that will improve patient safety and quality of care.

• Michigan Cancer Consortium Revised Guidelines for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer 

• Minnesota Alliance on Patient Safety
The Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS) is a partnership among the Minnesota Hospital Association, Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota Department of Health and more than 50 other public-private health care organizations working together to improve patient safety.

• MedlinePlus - Trusted Health Information from the National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus directs you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. MedlinePlus also contains extensive information about drugs and supplements, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive tutorials, the latest health news, and surgery videos.

• Lung Cancer Screening: CT Scans 
Michigan Cancer Consortium Position Statement for Consumers; April 2007

• The Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety
Patient and Family Involvement is more important than ever to achieve safe and error-free patient care. Patients who are actively involved in their care often enjoy better clinical outcomes. Increasingly, caregivers and others are seeing patient involvement as an essential ingredient of patient safety as well. Tools on this website help patients to actively participate in their care.

• Pulse America
PULSE is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) support group and organization working to improve patient safety and reduce the rate of medical errors in this country using real life stories and experiences. Members and participants are encouraged to use their experience to educate the community and advocate for a safer healthcare system.

• Josie King Story
Compelling story about a family that lost their 18 month old daughter due to medical and nursing errors. This site provides a wealth of information for practitioners and consumers alike.

• AHRQ - Consumers & Patients
A good source of information for consumers and patients from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Topics include patient safety, health plans, prevention and wellness, and consumer tips.