Newly Launched Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety to Focus on Advocacy, Education

It includes AOA, J&J Vision and CooperVision.

(Press Release) Eye diseases, vision loss and eye disorders create an estimated $139 billion economic burden in the U.S. and millions of Americans suffer from untreated or undiagnosed vision impairments. Yet eye health and vision care are not priorities in the national health agenda. The newly launched Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety will work to fill the gap, advocating for solutions to advance patient eye health, vision care and safety and to elevate the doctor-patient relationship – the essential foundation of healthcare decision making.

Advancing policy and collaboration between leading healthcare advocates, innovators, and treatment specialists is essential to push patient eye health care and vision protection forward. The Alliance for Patient Safety will build on important eye health and technological advancements, and work with patients, policy makers and regulators to deliver transparent and factual information regarding eye health products, procedures, technology and safety.

“The Alliance for Patient Safety exists to advance patient eye health and provide patients with the latest credible information to improve and safeguard eye health,” said Deanna Alexander, OD, chair of the Alliance for Patient Safety. “We will set out to ensure patient eye health and safety are at the center of the nation’s healthcare agenda and to advance patient health through education, empowerment and the preservation of the doctor-patient relationship as the absolute foundation of sound healthcare decision making.”

The Alliance for Patient Safety is a policy advancement and information collaboration between leading eye health advocates, innovators and trusted voices from the eye health community, all united by a commitment to ensuring quality care and improved patient outcomes. Through advocacy and education initiatives, the Alliance for Patient Safety:

• Supports laws, regulations, increased enforcement and other public policy solutions designed to safeguard public health.
• Heightens awareness to patients, legislators and regulators of the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and existing and potential threats to patients’ eye health and safety.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) and Johnson & Johnson Vision joined the Alliance as Leadership and Charter members with CooperVision, Inc. joining as an Associate and Charter member.

To become a local advocate or to get involved in protecting patient safety, visit patientsafetytoday.com.