Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 24) working with your doctor MEDICAL ERRORS Preventing medical errors It’s important that patients as well as doctors play a part in helping to prevent mistakes. By Anne L. Rubeck Make hospital stays safer If you’re in the hospital, consider these guidelines: ● If you have a choice, choose a hospital where many patients health care team. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results and have fewer complications. M edical errors are one of the nation’s leading causes of death and injury. The most important thing you can do to help prevent errors is to be an active member of your have had the procedure or surgery you need. ● Make sure all health care workers who have direct contact with you have washed their hands. ● When you’re leaving the hospital, ask your doctor to explain what you should do at home. Ask about your medicines and find out when you can get back to your regular activities. ● You have a right to question anyone involved with your health Keep your doctor informed Tell your doctor everything about your health. Make sure he or she knows about the medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have to medicines. It’s also important to understand what medicines you’re taking and why you’re taking them. Ask for this information when your doctor gives you a prescription and when you pick it up at the pharmacy. Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. issues. Make sure that someone, such as your family doctor, is in charge of your care. Anne L. Rubeck is an editor from Overland Park, Kan. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org/736.xml Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20tips.htm U.S. Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/405_confusion.html http://familydoctor.org/736.xml http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20tips.htm http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/405_confusion.html http://www.syprex.com http://www.syprex.com
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