Tips to Improve Patient Safety
- Be an active member of your healthcare team. Patients who are more involved with their own care tend to get better results.
- Make sure your doctor and nurse know about all medicines you are taking. This includes prescription and over the counter medicines, and dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs.
- Inform your doctor and nurses about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
- When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.
- Ask for information about any medications in terms you can understand; What is the medicine for? What are the side effects? What do you do if they occur?
- If you have questions about the directions for your medicine, ask! Does “four doses daily” mean a dose every 6 hours around the clock, or just during regular waking hours?
- Ask for written information about the side effects of your medication.
- In the hospital, consider asking all healthcare workers who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands.
- When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.
- If you are having surgery, make sure you, your doctor and your surgeon, all agree and are certain on exactly what will be done and that this is explained to you in terms you understand.
- Make sure someone, such as your family doctor, is in charge of coordinating your care.
- Make sure all health professionals involved in your care have the necessary health information. Don’t assume they know everything about you.
- Ask a family member or a friend to be your advocate to help get things done and speak for you if you cannot.
- Be aware that “more” is not always better. You may be better off without certain treatments or tests. Consult with your doctor.
- If you have a test, don’t assume that no news is good news. Ask your doctor for the results.
- Learn about your condition and treatment by asking your doctor, nurse, and other reliable sources. An informed patient is a healthier patient.
- Speak up... if you have any questions or concerns ask your doctor.