How do I Promote Consumer Awareness in Hospitals?

Consumer awareness is described as one's knowledge of his rights as a consumer of goods or services. As medical care grows more complex and patients and families are more involved in care decisions, the need for consumer awareness has intensified. Consumer awareness is important not only to prevent fraud and deception, but also to ensure people get the facts on the Affordable Care Act's New Patient's Bill of Rights, which President Obama passed into law on March 23, 2010 as part of health insurance reform legislation.

Instructions

• 1

  Join a national and/or state consumer advocacy association. For example, the Ohio Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy provides its members with leadership, education and support to promote healthcare consumer advocacy. Associations such as this offer networking opportunities, so that you can exchange information, ideas and experiences with others regarding consumer awareness in hospitals.

• 2

  Post the Patient's Bill of Rights in highly visible areas of healthcare facilities, and distribute the information in brochures and pamphlets. Inform consumers about new protections under the Bill.

• 3

  Post the "Five Steps to Safer Care" poster in both English and Spanish. Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and supported by the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association, the poster summarizes the steps consumers can take to safer care.

• 4

  Offer patients the American Hospital Association's brochure, "The Patient Care Partnership: Understanding Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities," which informs people about what to expect during their hospital stay.