Patient Tips for Reducing Medical Errors
Patient safety is a major challenge for health care providers, facilities,
and patients. According "To Err Is Human", a report released by the Institute
of Medicine in 1999, somewhere between 44,000 and 98,000 people die in
U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. While many experts
might argue with the accuracy of that estimate, the fact remains that
patient safety is a major issue in health care and is receiving considerable
attention from all health care providers and health care institutions.
However, patient safety is not just up to health care professionals.
You, as a patients and your family can also do a lot to assure the care
you receive is safe. The following tips have been developed by the American
Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, and the U.S Department
of Health and Human Services.
What Can You Do? Be Involved in Your Health Care
The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to
be an active member of your health care team.
That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research
shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get
better results. Some specific tips, based on the latest scientific evidence
about what works best, follow.
If You're Taking Medicines
1. Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything
you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
At least once a year, bring all of your medicines and supplements with
you to your doctor. "Brown bagging" your medicines can help you and
your doctor talk about them and find out if there are any problems.
It can also help your doctor keep your records up to date, which can
help you get better quality care.
2. Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse
reactions you have had to medicines.
This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you.
3. When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure
you can read it.
If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might
not be able to either.
4. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you
can understand-both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive
them.
- What is the medicine for?
- How am I supposed to take it, and for how long?
- What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?
- Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary
supplements I am taking?
- What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this
medicine?
5. When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask:
Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed?
A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health
Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong
drug or the wrong dose.
6. If you have any questions about the directions on your
medicine labels, ask.
Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four
doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just
during regular waking hours.
7. Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your
liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you're not sure how to use it.
Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to
measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons,
which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices,
like marked syringes, help people to measure the right dose. Being told
how to use the devices helps even more.
8. Ask for written information about the side effects your
medicine could cause.
If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared if it does-or,
if something unexpected happens instead. That way, you can report the
problem right away and get help before it gets worse. A study found
that written information about medicines can help patients recognize
problem side effects and then give that information to their doctor
or pharmacist.
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If You Need to Go to the Hospital
1. If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many
patients have the procedure or surgery you need.
Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they
are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their
condition.
2. If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health
care workers who have direct contact with you whether they have washed
their hands.
Handwashing is an important way to prevent the spread of infections
in hospitals. Yet, it is not done regularly or thoroughly enough. A
recent study found that when patients checked whether health care workers
washed their hands, the workers washed their hands more often and used
more soap.
3. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask
your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.
This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you
can get back to your regular activities. Research shows that at discharge
time, doctors think their patients understand more than they really
do about what they should or should not do when they return home.
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If You Need Surgery
1. If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor,
and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done.
Doing surgery at the wrong site (for example, operating on the left
knee instead of the right) is rare. But even once is too often. The
good news is that wrong-site surgery is 100 percent preventable. The
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons urges its members to sign their
initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery.
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Other Steps You Can Take
1. Speak up if you have questions or concerns.
You have a right to question anyone who is involved with your care.
2. Make sure that someone, such as your personal doctor,
is in charge of your care.
This is especially important if you have many health problems or are
in a hospital.
3. Make sure that all health professionals involved in your
care have important health information about you.
Do not assume that everyone knows everything they need to.
4. Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and
to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up
for you if you can't).
Even if you think you don't need help now, you might need it later.
5. Know that "more" is not always better.
It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and
how it can help you. You could be better off without it.
6. If you have a test, don't assume that no news is good
news.
Ask about the results.
7. Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your
doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources.
For example, treatment recommendations based on the latest scientific
evidence are available from the National Guidelines Clearinghouse.
Ask your doctor if your treatment is based on the latest evidence.
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