POTSDAM -- Canton-Potsdam Hospital will host the monthly “Partnering in Your Care” educational lunch Tuesday, Jan. 8, from noon to 1 p.m. The luncheon will be held in the secnd floor conference rooms on the hospital’s main campus, 50 Leroy St.

This month’s topic is ‘Community-Based Patient Safety Advisory Council’ and will be presented by Jackie Scanlon, director of patient safety at the hospital. “It’s becoming more and more important for patients and their loved ones to take a leadership role and work collaboratively with their healthcare providers,” said Scanlon. “Community education is the key component, followed by communication with healthcare providers, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle at home.”

Scanlon noted that patient safety councils are becoming more common in hospitals to improve quality of care and provide for community input and expert guidance. “We’d like to establish a Council for ongoing input and education. Potential members might be people who have been patients, current patients, and family members of patients as well as interested community members,” said Scanlon. “It’s important for us to hear a multitude of perspectives.”

For this first meeting, there is no ongoing commitment; participants will learn what a council does and what potential roles they might have. “We want to gauge the interest level,” noted Scanlon. The council is designed to engage community members for their feedback on what’s important from a patient and family’s perspective. Benefits for participants include becoming better informed about healthcare systems, understanding CPH’s healthcare delivery and learning to serve as a loved one’s advocate.

There is no cost to attend this presentation luncheon, however, attendance is limited. For more information or to RSVP contact Lynn Rose at 261-6005 or lrose@cphospital.org.