Patient safety has been at the forefront of the health care movement, as the number of medical malpractice cases has increased at an alarming rate over the years. It’s challenging to pin down exactly how this happened, but all we know is that things must change.

There are organizations like the National Foundation for Patient Safety that are gaining ground in spreading awareness in the healthcare industry, as well as developing tools and resources for medical professionals to support them in their work. Many health care providers and hospitals have participated in the annual Patient Safety Awareness Week in hopes of educating everyone about the importance of quality health care for all people.

Patient safety involves many things, including these five C’s:

Attention: Medical professionals must truly care for their patients and care about their health. Why do this kind of work if you don’t care? Put the patient’s well-being above everything else.

People often make mistakes because they start to feel burned out or overwhelmed by the workload. If this sounds like you, maybe it’s time to look into doing things to de-stress every day and find more balance in your life.

Consideration – This is linked to caring for people. Be considerate of everyone, patients and colleagues, with whom you come into contact. Be mindful of their time and appreciate the time you spend with them. As John F. Kennedy once said, “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”

Communication – It has been said that a lack of communication is one of the main reasons a patient files a malpractice lawsuit. There must be clear, open and honest communication between a medical professional and the patient. If a mistake is made, own up to it. There should also be constant communication between medical colleagues.

Collaboration – It’s good to see people working together to share ideas and raise awareness of patient safety. Focusing on solutions instead of making excuses and pointing fingers will go a long way in seeing progress.

Continuing Education – There are risk management classes and workshops offered by various medical associations to help avoid malpractice lawsuits. Some medical malpractice insurance providers will even offer reduced premium rates if you attend one of these courses.

When medical professionals work on these five C’s and develop positive habits in their work, everyone will benefit and there will be a greater chance of success.