Vonda's Vlog

People are going to extraordinary lengths to ensure that everyone who delivers, receives and supports medical care can do so safely. I joined Dr. David Mayer, his wife Cathy, and two more safety awareness advocates (Lisa and Barbara) for a walk from the American Family Fields to Peoria stadiums in Pheonix, AZ. Dave and several others are walking 125 miles over ten days, raising donations and awareness to support everyone influencing and influenced by medical care. My pals Marty and Tracy are walking in Chicago and on Peletrons. I could go on!

May every person's mile lead us closer to zero preventable medical harm - which helps absolutely everyone!

Do you walk, bike or run? You can make your miles matter for medical safety here. 

Check out the press about Dave's Epic Walk

New plan! New needs! Thank goodness for my current capacity to go with the flow easily. I will now head toward Denver via Pheonix rather than Salt Lake City, thanks to dear friends willing to host me in an environment where I can isolate. Go team Zigzag! Follow my Zigzag by clicking on the picture below:

I Count For Safe Medical Care. You Can Count Too. Donate $1 for every person you know who has experienced medical harm and/or is prioritizing medical safety.

My first stop of dozens between SoCal and Capitol Hill has introduced me to a grey fox. Did you know that a grey fox can climb trees? Each night I practice in front of a glass door overlooking the meadow where I've seen one of these mysterious beings two times so far. I hope to catch it gliding by again tonight. 

The one I've seen is much darker than this grey fox featured in a photo by Jessica Snoek on Unsplash

The small, nimble Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF) team works tirelessly to promote safety for every person influencing and influenced by health care. In honor of World Patient Safety Day, PSMF and dozens of volunteers are producing a March For Patient Safety. I'm taking this mission on the road with me as I head for Capitol Hill, asking legislators to prioritize a #plan4zero. 

From wherever you are on September 17th, you can show up to support health care workers, patients, and their families to provide and receive safe care. Get updates by adding your name here. 

Why do we prioritize some issues and not other issues; Covid-19 for example? People use numbers to alarm and call attention to issues. But, do numbers really motivate us? 

Do you see a different side of yourself during doctor appointments or when you are advocating as or for a patient? Too many people have described what my dear friend and I have decided to call hospital fog. It shows up as forgetfulness, a feeling of intimidation even if someone is thoughtfully listening, or a sense of anxiety. This medical fog may happen at any medical juncture, not just in a hospital (so perhaps we need to keep working on the name.) What's your experience with medical fog?

I make house calls for Patient Safety

2020 will be spent mobilizing everyone to keep us all safe in health care. Many find it surprising that medical error is as prevalent as it is. Harm and death occur far too often while giving and receiving medical care. We can do something about this. It starts with honest conversations from households to the White House. 

Please invite me to your place of employment, worship or hold a house party for all your loved ones. Together we can make health care safe for everyone providing, supporting and receiving medical attention.