Patient Information

Cover of the Patient Companion showing healthcare workers that help people

Healthcare can be confusing. Tests, treatments, diagnoses, insurance. It’s a lot. And it sure doesn’t help that despite their best intentions, patients and healthcare workers often seem to be speaking different languages—and sometimes actually are.

Consider this book the Rosetta Stone of healthcare: a tool to help patients communicate their wants and needs in a way their care team can understand.The Patient’s Companion covers common healthcare topics like what to do if you’re told you have a chronic (long-term, often incurable) disease or when and how to get a second opinion. (Hint: It’s OK if you want to ask someone else!)

Our hope, along with the many teams of patients and healthcare workers who helped us write this, is that if everyone can communicate better, healthcare itself will work better too.

English Version

Spanish Version

Download or print these posters that allow patients to access an electronic version of The Patient's Companion.


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Join our Patient Voice Council

We understand that patients are important members of the healthcare team and we want to include your perspective in our efforts to keep patients safe. We are looking for patients who are willing to share their input on projects and articles that we develop. Sign up online today!

Patient Voice Council Information

The Patient Safety Authority understands that patients are important members of the healthcare team and we want to include your perspective in our efforts to keep patients safe. We are looking for patients who are willing to share their input on projects and articles that we develop.

Some projects may be long term, with meetings and conference calls spread over the course of several months or years. Other projects will be one time reviews that can be completed in a couple of hours. All participation is valuable, and you can choose your level of commitment.

This form will help us to best match your interests and expertise to the opportunitiesfor participation. There are no requirements for participation other than an interest in helping improve patient safety.

Thank you for your interest. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Bell, Director of Outreach and Education or call 610-906-5678.

Medical staff standing next to a patient laying in a hospital bed.

Click here to download a printable form