Patient Safety Starts with Speaking Up: A Conversation with Dr. Julie Siemers

Medical errors remain one of the leading causes of preventable harm, but many can be avoided through better communication, awareness, and teamwork. In this episode of Designing Healthcare That Cares, Dr. Laura Suttin talks with patient safety expert Dr. Julie Siemers about empowering patients and families, improving healthcare communication, and creating safer systems for everyone. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Dr. Julie Siemers 01:00 – From ICU nurse to patient safety advocate 03:00 – Underreporting, transparency, and psychological safety 05:00 – Lessons from high-profile medical error cases 07:00 – Empowering patients and caregivers to speak up 09:00 – Recognizing early signs of patient deterioration 11:00 – Family involvement after surgery and hospitalization 13:00 – Communication as a patient safety strategy 15:00 – The importance of nurse-physician collaboration 17:00 – Building trust through communication 18:00 – Helping families navigate medical information 20:00 – Failure-to-rescue and early recognition of decline 21:00 – The cost of preventable patient harm 23:00 – Why healthcare leaders must address root causes 25:00 – Resources and where to find Dr. Julie Siemers 🌐 Dr. Julie Siemers: drjuliesiemers.com 💬 If this episode resonated, share it with a healthcare professional, patient advocate, caregiver, or family member preparing for a hospital stay. Because patient safety improves when every voice is heard, and every person feels empowered to speak up.