Dr Kamarudin hits a gong to launch the Patients’ Safety campaign.
SIBU: State Health Department deputy director Dr Kamarudin Lajim yesterday cautioned hospital staff against taking patients’ safety lightly, calling on them to ensure safety as a matter of routine.
“Though the job looks simple, but repeated mistakes can harm the patients and tarnish the image of the hospital.
“We must have a sense of responsibility when it comes to patients’ safety,” he said, pointing to the need to make it a habit to look into patients’ safety.
Speaking at the launch of state-level Patient Safety Campaign at Kingwood Hotel here yesterday, Dr Kamarudin said there were still many who were not aware of the importance of patients’ safety.
“Most issues regarding patients’ safety are repeated mistakes and thus becoming a thing so common among the staff.
“You need to change to ensure quality service. Advancement in information technology has enabled the people, including patients and their families, to know more about patients’ safety.
“Thus, if we do not comply with the standard, there will be problems and sadly many are not complying. Patients have the right to complain.
“All issues regarding the safety of patients, even the smallest of things, must be addressed and repeated mistakes must be addressed immediately,” he said.
Sibu Hospital director Dr Ngian Hie Ung, meanwhile, suggested the awareness of patients’ safety should start with the medical students.