Staff at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital heard a speech from Patient Safety Advocate Melissa Sheldrick on Wednesday (October 30) as part of Patient Safety Week. Sheldrick’s speech centers around patient safety and the importance of it by sharing her family’s story of the loss of her 8 year old son.
Sheldrick’s son Andrew passed away in 2016 after an incorrect mixing of his prescription at the pharmacy.
Sheldrick says that her message around patient safety focuses on the importance of communication and collaboration.
Sheldrick says that she thinks her story creates a heart connection with the people who hear it.
Sheldrick says that one of the takeaways she hoped people left the talk with was that everyone can do something everyday to contribute to patient safety.
Sheldrick says that the theme to this year’s patient safety week is “conquer silence” where they are encouraging patients to voice their concerns no matter how small they are. Sheldrick now travels across Canada and to other countries and advocates for medication incident recording in pharmacies.
