Final answer:
The Joint Commission's Speak Up program encourages patients to be active participants in their healthcare by speaking up and communicating with their healthcare providers to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Joint Commission's new Speak Up program is an initiative designed to empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare. The program encourages patients to speak up and communicate openly with health care professionals about their concerns, questions, and needs. It focuses on aspects such as asking questions until they understand the answers, paying attention to the care they receive, educating themselves about their condition, knowing what medications they take and why, and making sure they understand their treatment plan.
Part of the patient safety strategies implemented by the Joint Commission, the Speak Up program's aim is to foster a safer and more effective patient-provider communication, thus reducing the chances of medical errors. The program includes educational materials and resources to help patients and their families be more informed and involved in their healthcare.