Written by Dr. Lesley Dawravoo, Digestive Health Services.

Every year in September, the World Health Organization marks World Patient Safety Day, a global effort to raise awareness and reduce avoidable harm in healthcare. This year’s theme, “Safe Care for Non-communicable Diseases,” focuses on people managing long-term conditions such as liver disease, IBD, and other chronic conditions we treat every day in gastroenterology. As a physician, I think about patient safety constantly, but this day gives us a reason to talk about it openly with the people it matters most to.

Here’s something I often tell my patients. Patient safety isn’t just something that happens to you in a hospital or clinic. It’s something you’re part of, whether you realize it or not.

Why Patient Safety Actually Matters

Medical errors aren’t rare, and sometimes it’s a missed detail in your history. Sometimes it’s a medication interaction nobody flagged. Sometimes it’s a symptom you mentioned once, in passing, that got lost in the shuffle of a busy visit.

Patient safety is the framework that catches those gaps before they become real harm. It covers things like:

• Getting the right diagnosis, the first time
• Avoiding medication errors and dangerous drug interactions
• Preventing infections during procedures like colonoscopies or endoscopies
• Making sure your care team actually has the full picture of your health

This matters even more for people managing chronic digestive or liver conditions, since ongoing care means more touchpoints, more medications, and more chances for something to slip through. The truth is, no healthcare team, no matter how experienced, has perfect information unless the patient helps fill in the gaps.

The Part Most People Miss: You’re on the Team

This is where I want to push back on an old idea. A lot of patients still walk into an appointment thinking their job is to sit quietly and let the doctor “figure it out.” I understand the instinct, but it works against you.

You know your body better than anyone in the room. You know when something feels different, when a medication isn’t sitting right, or when a symptom keeps circling back. That information is clinical data. Treat it that way.

A Few Ways to Speak Up During Your Care

• Say something if a symptom feels off, even if it seems minor or unrelated. Small details often connect to bigger patterns.
• Ask what a medication is for and how it interacts with what you’re already taking. Never assume someone else double-checked it.
• Repeat instructions back in your own words before you leave an appointment. If it doesn’t make sense to you, it needs clarifying.
• Bring a written list of symptoms, medications, and questions. Memory fades under stress, and appointments move fast.
• If something still doesn’t feel right after a visit, call. You don’t need a “big enough” reason to follow up.

How to Give Feedback And Why It’s Not Optional

Patient safety improves when practices actually hear from patients, not just about what went right, but what didn’t. If a wait felt unusually long, if instructions were confusing, if you felt rushed or unheard, that feedback matters more than most people think.

Speak up in the moment when you can. If something feels off during your visit, tell the staff or your provider directly. If it’s easier afterward, use the practice’s patient portal, a follow-up call, or a feedback form. Good practices want this information because it’s how systems improve. 

Your Safety Starts With a Conversation. Let’s Have It

Don’t wait for something to feel “wrong enough” before you speak up. If you have questions about a symptom, a procedure, or anything about your care at Digestive Health Services, we want to hear it before, during, and after your visit.

Book an appointment today and bring every question with you. A safer visit starts the moment you decide your voice counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does patient safety factor into preparing for a colonoscopy safely?
Patient safety during colonoscopy prep means following the bowel-prep instructions exactly, listing all current medications for your doctor, and arranging a ride home after sedation.

Why is patient feedback important for patient safety?
Patient feedback is important for patient safety because it surfaces problems like confusing instructions or rushed visits that staff may not otherwise catch.

How can patients help prevent medical errors and support patient safety?
Patients support patient safety by keeping an updated medication list, asking questions until instructions are clear, and speaking up about any symptom that feels off.

How do you give feedback to support patient safety at your provider’s office?
You can support patient safety by sharing feedback in the moment with staff, or afterward through a patient portal, follow-up call, or feedback form.

Medical Disclaimer: This blog is for general educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about concerns specific to your health.