Four Steps to Safer Healthcare

While patient safety is the goal of every healthcare professional, there are four important things you should do to make sure you get the safest healthcare possible:

1. Ask questions. Choose a doctor you feel comfortable talking to. Ask questions and make sure you get answers you understand. It helps some people to write down their questions before they go to the doctor so they don't forget what they want to ask. Consider take a relative or friend along to help ask questions and write down the doctor's instructions so you don't forget any important information. If you're unclear about something when you get home, call the doctor's office and ask to speak to the nurse for clarification.
2. Keep track of medications. Make a list of all the medications you take (some pharmacies will print you a list), including number of milligrams and dosage amounts. Make sure you also list any vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies you take. Note any drug allergies you have. Take this list with you every time you go to the doctor. If the doctor prescribes a new drug, ask about side effects, drug interactions and what to avoid while taking the medicine. When you pick up your prescription, make sure it's what the doctor prescribed and ask the pharmacist how to use it. Read all labels and warnings and call the pharmacist or your doctor's office if you have questions. If a refill looks different from previous prescriptions for the same medication, ask the pharmacist about it. Sometimes generic drugs by different manufacturers are different shapes or colors. But don't assume; ask the pharmacist first.
3. Get test results. If your doctor orders a test or procedure ask when to expect the results. If you don't hear from the doctor in the prescribed time, call and ask for the results. Never assume everything is fine if you don't hear anything. Make sure you understand test results and ask your doctor for an explanation if you don't.
4. Choose hospitals carefully. If you require hospital care, talk to your doctor about which hospital will best meet your health needs. Ask which hospital can provide the best care and results for your particular medical condition. Before you leave the hospital, make sure you understand instructions about follow-up care.