March 19, 2003..... NEW YORK..... Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the first NYC hospital to win the New York State Department of Health's Patient Safety Award, and The Health Television System (Healthtv)- North America's premiere provider of hospital-based patient education television networks, launched a video/DVD segment that educates hospitalized patients on how to prevent medication errors.

According to the 2002 National Quality Forum Consensus Report from the Institute of Medicine, healthcare errors are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US.

"Medication Safety," a 7-minute production, educates viewers on the 5 "R's" of medication safety: right drug, right dose, right time, right route, right delivery. The production was collaboration between Healthtv's award-winning production team, and Hospital for Special Surgery's patient education team. It will air in 33 top ranked hospitals across North America on Healthtv.

HSS Vice President Marion Hare said, "We're excited to partner with Healthtv. The video/DVD that they produced has met with tremendous acceptance. Healthtv's top quality production and national distribution network enables us to extend the benefits of the award to hospitals throughout New York State and across the country.

The Health Television System Inc. (HTS) is the North American leader in delivering patient education content solutions within healthcare facilities. Founded in 1993, HTS enjoys a loyal customer base that includes some of North America's largest hospitals. Customers such as Johns Hopkins, New York Presbyterian and UCLA have benefited from HTS' suite of services: specialized direct-to-patient educational content, comprehensive staff support and standard-setting measurement data. HTS content partners include hospitals, national disease associations, consumer advocacy groups and socially-responsible corporations

Founded in 1863, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. Ranked No. 1 in the Northeast in its specialties by US News and World Report's, HSS is the first New York City hospital to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. HSS is an academic teaching hospital affiliated with Weill Medical College-Cornell University. Its Research Institute is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases.

New York State recognized HSS for its innovative program "to better document, track and administer prescribed medications to patients. The award-winning program that HSS developed was aimed at increasing legibility of medication orders received by the pharmacy. After significant review and changes implemented, the results were nothing short of outstanding -- legibility of pharmacy orders increased by more than 97%!

According to Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, MD, MPH, DrPH, "The New York State Dept of Health initiated its Patient Safety Award competition in 2001 in an effort to meet the goal established by the Institute of Medicine for a 50% reduction in medical errors within 5 years. Through this program, the New York State Department of Health aims to not only applaud and promote the Best Practices of outstanding institutions but to have their programs serve as a catalyst for improving health care and patient outcomes statewide."