Patient Safety
Humans are flawed, and machines can fail. So, notwithstanding the best of intentions, adverse
medical events can happen at any moment and in any setting. Often, the patient, patient
advocate, or a family member can help minimize the chance of error by taking an active role in
the patient's health care.
This week, you examine how consumers can educate themselves about health care quality and
safety performance at their local hospitals. In addition, you review tips and techniques to enable
the patient, patient advocate, or family members to obtain more effective, efficient, and safer
care.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this week, students will:
Analyze how a patient can take responsibility for his or her own safety by questioning the care
provider
Analyze patient quality and safety of care data to make informed health care decisions
Photo Credit: Christopher Futcher / E+ / Getty Images
Learning Resources
This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see
all of this week's assigned Learning Resources.
Required Readings
Introduction to healthcare quality management
Chapter 2, "Quality Management Building Blocks" (pp. 13–16)
Chapter 8, "Improving Patient Safety"
National Quality Forum. (2008). Serious reportable events (SREs) transparency, accountability
critical to reducing medical errors and harm. Retrieved from
http://www.qualityforum.org/Publications/2008/10/Serious_Reportable_Events.aspx
Serious Reportable Events (SREs) Transparency, Accountability Critical to Reducing Medical
Errors and Harm (2008). Copyright 2008 by National Quality Forum. Used by permission.
Iyer, P. (1/30/2012). Amanda Trujillo: Nurse fired for being a patient advocate. Retrieved from:
http://www.truthaboutnursing.org/news/2012/may/trujillo.html
The Joint Commission. (2009, November 27). Speak up: Tips for your doctor's visit. Retrieved
from http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/speakup_doctors_visit.pdf
"Tips for your Doctor's Visit," from SpeakUP. Copyright 2011 by The Joint Commission.
Reprinted by permission.
The Joint Commission. (2011, January 18). Speak up: Help prevent errors in your care.
Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/6/speakup.pdf
"Help Prevent Errors in your Care," from SpeakUP. Copyright 2011 by The Joint Commission.
Reprinted by permission.
The Joint Commission. (2009, July 21). To prevent health care errors, patients are urged
to...SPEAK UP. Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/IC_Poster.pdf
The Joint Commission. (July 21, 2009). Speak Up: Help Prevent Errors in Your Care (Poster). In
The Joint Commission. Retrieved March 18, 2011, from
http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/SpeakUp_Poster.pdf.
Medicare.gov: Hospital Compare
The Joint Commission: Quality Check
Required Media
The Joint Commission. (2011, March 7). Speak up: Prevent errors in your care [Video podcast].
Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/multimedia/speak-up-prevent-errors-in-yourcare-/
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.
This brief animated message was produced by The Joint Commission as part of its "Speak Up"
series. This video encourages patients to ask questions about their medical care.
Accessible player
The Joint Commission (Producers). (2011). Speak Up: Prevent errors in your care. [Streaming
Video]. Available from http://www.jointcommission.org/
The Joint Commission. (2011, April 5). Speak up: Prevent the spread of infection [Video
podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/multimedia/speak-up--prevent-thespread-of-infection/
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.
Another episode in The Joint Commission's "Speak Up" series, this video underscores the
importance of taking an active and vocal role to help prevent the spread of infections.
Accessible player
The Joint Commission (Producers). (2011). Speak Up: Prevent the spread of infection.
[Streaming Video]. Available from http://www.jointcommission.org/multimedia/speak-up-prevent-the-spread-of-infection/
Optional Resources
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Patient safety primer: Never events.
Retrieved from http://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer.aspx?primerID=3
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Patient safety primer: The role of the
patient in safety. Retrieved from http://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer.aspx?primerID=17
Inskeep, S. (Host). (2010, January 5). Atul Gawande's 'checklist' for surgery success. In
Morning Edition [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122226184&ps=cprs
Note: Click on "Listen to the Story" to listen to the audio podcast.
Seabrook, A. (Host). (2007, December 7). Doctor saved Michigan 00 million. In All Things
Considered [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17060374
Note: Click on "Listen to the Story" to listen to the audio podcast.
The Joint Commission. (2008, March 28). Better safe than sorry—You the smart patient [Video
podcast]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/2/Lvmv7OGE4XA
The Joint Commission. (2009, July 21). Have the doctor draw you a picture—You the smart
patient [Video podcast]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/A08A42DCA167B8E8/3/fFeAehqy1ZE
The Joint Commission. (2009, March 12). No more flowers—You the smart patient [Video
podcast]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/0/R5wNdugiTbI
The Joint Commission. (2008, April 4). Staying safe in the hospital—You the smart patient
[Video podcast]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/1/EN0ttsvmVck
The Joint Commission: Speak Up Initiatives
AHRQ: Patient Safety Network PSNet
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
National Quality Forum (NQF)
Resource
https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primers/primer/3
https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primers/primer/17
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122226184&ps=cprs?storyId=122226184&ps=
cprs
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17060374
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/2/Lvmv7OGE4XA
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/A08A42DCA167B8E8/3/fFeAehqy1ZE
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/0/R5wNdugiTbI
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJointCommission#p/c/1/EN0ttsvmVck
https://www.jointcommission.org/speakup.aspx
https://psnet.ahrq.gov/
https://www.rwjf.org/
https://www.truthaboutnursing.org/news/2012/may/trujillo.html#gsc.tab=0
https://www.qualitycheck.org/
http://www.qualityforum.org/Home.aspx
To prevent health care errors,
patients are urged to...
UP
Speak
S
peak up if you have questions
or concerns. If you still don’t
understand, ask again. It’s
your body and you have a right
to know.
P
ay attention to the care you
get. Always make sure you’re
getting the right treatments and
medicines by the right health
care professionals. Don’t
assume anything.
E
ducate yourself about your
illness. Learn about the medical
tests you get, and your treatment
plan.
A
sk a trusted family member or
friend to be your advocate
(advisor or supporter).
K
now what medicines you take
and why you take them. Medicine
errors are the most common
health care mistakes.
U
se a hospital, clinic, surgery
center, or other type of health
care organization that has been
carefully checked out. For
example, The Joint Commission
visits hospitals to see if they are
meeting The Joint Commission’s
quality standards.
P
articipate in all decisions about
your treatment. You are the
center of the health care team.
TM
Everyone has a role in making health
care safe. That includes doctors, health
care executives, nurses and many
health care technicians. Health care
organizations all across the country
are working to make health care safe.
As a patient, you can make your
care safer by being an active, involved
and informed member of your health
care team.
The Joint Commission is the largest health care accrediting
body in the United States that promotes quality and safety.
Helping health care organizations help patients
SpeakUP
TM
Tips for
your doctor’s
visit
Your visit to the doctor is your time to talk and learn
about your health. Patients have a role in their health
care, just like doctors, nurses and other caregivers.
This brochure includes tips for your visit to the doctor
to help you become more active and involved in your
health care.
Talking with your doctor
What you can do to prepare for your doctor’s visit.
Take all of your prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins, and herbs with you when you visit the doctor. If
you’re unable to take them with you, take a current list of
all the medicines, vitamins, and herbs that you take.
Include how much you take.
Write down the following information to share with
your doctor:
q Your health history. Include allergies and bad reactions
you have had to medicines, and the dates of any
surgeries and hospital visits.
q Your current health problems.
q Any questions that you want to ask about your health.
What can you do if you don’t understand what your
doctor is saying?
Tips for
your doctor’s
visit
The Joint Commission is the largest health care
accrediting body in the United States that
promotes quality and safety.
Helping health care organizations help patients
Tell the doctor you do not understand. Ask more questions
to help the doctor understand what you need. Tell the
doctor if you need someone who speaks your language
or who knows sign language. Ask a trusted friend or
family member to come with you.
What if you are too embarrassed to talk about your
health problems?
Why is the doctor asking personal questions?
It may help to write your health problems and symptoms
down on paper to give to the doctor. A friend or family
member may be able to help you talk to the doctor
about your problem.
The doctor needs to know about your habits so he or
she can recommend the best treatment for you. Tell
the doctor if you smoke, use recreational drugs, or are
sexually active. The doctor can only talk to others
about your health with your written permission.
Ask about any new medicines your doctor prescribes:
Your doctor is sending you to another doctor—why?
q Why do you need a new medicine? How will it help you?
q Is there a generic medicine you can take?
Your doctor may send you to see a specialist. Specialists
include heart doctors and doctors who treat cancer. Ask
why the doctor recommends that you see another doctor.
q Is there a medicine on your insurance company’s
formulary that will work for you?
q What is the name of the medicine?
q Is the medicine a liquid or a pill?
q What are the directions for taking the medicine?
Repeat the directions back to the doctor. Ask the
doctor to write down the directions.
q What are the side effects?
q Can you take it with your current medicines? Should
you stop taking any of your current medicines?
q Should you avoid any foods or drinks when you take
the medicine?
q Would the medicine still work if you use half of it?
As an example, can you cut a pill in half?
Remind your doctor about your allergies and reactions
you have had to medicines. Tell the doctor if you don’t
understand any information about the medicine. Ask
your doctor to give you an updated printed list of all
your medicines.
If you need a lab test
After your doctor’s visit
Questions to ask the doctor if you need a lab test:
Learn more about your condition.
q Why is this test being done? What will it tell you about
my health?
Information can be found at the library, from support
groups and reliable Web sites. Searching for a Web site
is easy. Just type your disease or diagnosis into the
search box on your computer’s Internet search engine,
such as Google.
q Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid before
or after the test?
q Should I take my medicine before the test?
q Is there anything else I need to do to prepare for the test?
What if you are not sure about the treatment or operation?
q Are there any side effects of the test? Will it be painful or
uncomfortable? Is it unusual to have pain or discomfort?
Make an appointment with another doctor to get a
second opinion.
Tips for the examination
q Should I have the test done before my next visit to
the doctor?
How can you find out if the hospital or facility you
plan to go to is a good one?
What can you do if you are uncomfortable being
examined by the doctor?
q Will I need someone to take me home after the test?
Tell the doctor or nurse how you can be made more
comfortable. Let them know if you would like a nurse
or a family member or friend to stay with you.
If you need treatment or surgery
q Find out if the organization is accredited by The
Joint Commission. Accredited means that the
organization follows rules that guide safe and
quality patient care. Visit The Joint Commission’s
Quality Check Web site at www.qualitycheck.org.
Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor or caregiver if they
washed their hands.
Ask for written information about your conditions and
treatments. Ask how and if a treatment will help you.
Find out about risks of the treatments.
Doctors, nurses and other caregivers usually wash
their hands but they can forget. Remind them if you
don’t see them wash their hands. Hand washing helps
prevent infection.
Make sure the doctor or caregiver wears clean gloves
before examining you.
Ask them to wear clean gloves before giving shots, touching
wounds, or examining your mouth or private parts.
Find out about your condition and treatments for it.
What can you do to prepare for your treatment?
Ask for copies of your health records from your doctor.
Your records belong to you. It may take some time to
get copies and there may be a cost.
q Talk to your doctor. Ask about the organization’s
experience taking care of people with your condition.
How often do they perform the procedure you need?
What special care do they provide to help patients
get well?
Questions to ask the doctor if you need to have an operation:
q Are there any vitamins, herbs, or prescription or over
the-counter medicines that you should not take before
your operation?
q Can you eat or drink before your operation?
q Should you trim your nails and remove any nail polish?
The goal of the Speak Up™ program is to help patients and their advocates become more informed and involved in their health care.
SpeakUP
TM
Everyone has a role in making health care safe.
That includes doctors, health care executives,
nurses and many health care technicians. Health
care organizations all across the country are working
to make health care safe. As a patient, you can make
your care safer by being an active, involved and
informed member of your health care team.
To prevent
health care
errors,
patients are
urged to...
SpeakUP
Help Prevent
Errors in
Your Care
An Institute of Medicine report says that medical
mistakes are a serious problem in the health care
system. The IOM says that public awareness of the
problem is an important step in making things better.
TM
The Joint Commission is the largest health care
accrediting body in the United States that
promotes quality and safety.
Helping health care organizations help patients
The “Speak Up™” program is sponsored by The
Joint Commission. They agree that patients should
be involved in their own health care. These efforts
to increase patient awareness and involvement are
also supported by the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
This program gives simple advice on how you can
help make health care a good experience. Research
shows that patients who take part in decisions about
their own health care are more likely to get better
faster. To help prevent health care mistakes, patients
are urged to “Speak Up.”
S
peak up if you have questions or concerns. If you
still do not understand, ask again. It is your body
and you have a right to know.
• Your health is very important. Do not worry about being
embarrassed if you do not understand something that your
doctor, nurse or other health care professional tells you.
If you do not understand because you speak another
language,ask for someone who speaks your language.
You have the right to get free help from someone who
speaks your language.
• Do not be afraid to ask about safety. If you are having
surgery, ask the doctor to mark the area that is to be
operated on.
• Do not be afraid to tell the nurse or the doctor if you think
you are about to get the wrong medicine.
• Do not be afraid to tell a health care professional if you
think he or she has confused you with another patient.
P
get that information are from your doctor, your library, support
groups, and respected Web sites, like the Centers for Disease
Control & Prevention (CDC) Web site.
• Write down important facts your doctor tells you. Ask your
doctor if he or she has any written information you can keep.
• Read all medical forms and make sure you understand them
before you sign anything. If you do not understand, ask your
doctor or nurse to explain them.
• Make sure you know how to work any equipment that is being
used in your care. If you use oxygen at home, do not smoke
or let anyone smoke near you.
A
•
• Tell your nurse or doctor if something does not seem right.
• Expect health care workers to introduce themselves. Look
•
E
ducate yourself about your illness. Learn about the
medical tests you get, and your treatment plan.
• Ask your doctor about the special training and experience
that qualifies him or her to treat your illness.
sk a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate
(advisor or supporter).
• Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think
ay attention to the care you get. Always make sure
you are getting the right treatments and medicines by
the right health care professionals. Do not assume anything.
for their identification (ID) badges. A new mother should
know the person who she hands her baby to. If you do
not know who the person is, ask for their ID.
• Notice whether your caregivers have washed their hands.
Hand washing is the most important way to prevent infections.
Do not be afraid to remind a doctor or nurse to do this.
• Know what time of the day you normally get medicine.
If you do not get it, tell your nurse or doctor.
• Make sure your nurse or doctor checks your ID. Make sure
he or she checks your wristband and asks your name before
he or she gives you your medicine or treatment.
what medicines you take and why you take them.
K now
Medicine errors are the most common health care mistakes.
• Look for information about your condition. Good places to
•
•
•
•
about when you are stressed. Your advocate can also help
remember answers to questions you have asked or write
down information being discussed.
Ask this person to stay with you, even overnight, when you are
hospitalized. You may be able to rest better. Your advocate can
help make sure you get the correct medicines and treatments.
Your advocate should be someone who can communicate well
and work cooperatively with medical staff for your best care.
Make sure this person understands the kind of care you want
and respects your decisions.
Your advocate should know who your health care proxy
decision-maker is; a proxy is a person you choose to sign a
legal document so he or she can make decisions about your
health care when you are unable to make your own decisions.
Your advocate may also be your proxy under these
circumstances. They should know this ahead of time.
Go over the consents for treatment with your advocate and
health care proxy, if your proxy is available, before you sign
them. Make sure you all understand exactly what you are
about to agree to.
Make sure your advocate understands the type of care you
will need when you get home. Your advocate should know
what to look for if your condition is getting worse. He or she
should also know who to call for help.
• Ask about why you should take the medicine. Ask for written
•
•
•
•
•
•
information about it, including its brand and generic names.
Also ask about the side effects of all medicines.
If you do not recognize a medicine, double-check that it is
for you. Ask about medicines that you are to take by mouth
before you swallow them. Read the contents of the bags
of intravenous (IV) fluids. If you are not well enough to do
this, ask your advocate to do it.
If you are given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take
for the liquid to run out. Tell the nurse if it does not seem to
be dripping right (too fast or too slow).
Whenever you get a new medicine, tell your doctors and
nurses about allergies you have, or negative reactions
you have had to other medicines.
If you are taking a lot of medicines, be sure to ask your
doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take those medicines
together. Do the same thing with vitamins, herbs and
over-the-counter drugs.
Make sure you can read the handwriting on prescriptions
written by your doctor. If you cannot read it, the pharmacist
may not be able to either. Ask somebody at the doctor’s
office to print the prescription, if necessary.
Carry an up-to-date list of the medicines you are taking in your
purse or wallet. Write down how much you take and when you
take it. Go over the list with your doctor and other caregivers.
U
se a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health
care organization that has been carefully checked out.
For example, The Joint Commission visits hospitals to see if they
are meeting The Joint Commission’s quality standards.
• Ask about the health care organization’s experience in
taking care of people with your type of illness. How often
do they perform the procedure you need? What special
care do they provide to help patients get well?
• If you have more than one hospital to choose from, ask
your doctor which one has the best care for your condition.
• Before you leave the hospital or other facility, ask about
follow-up care and make sure that you understand all
the instructions.
• Go to Quality Check at www.qualitycheck.org to find out
whether your hospital or other health care organization is
“accredited.” Accredited means that the hospital or health
care organization works by rules that make sure that
patient safety and quality standards are followed.
P
articipate in all decisions about your treatment.
You are the center of the health care team.
• You and your doctor should agree on exactly what will
be done during each step of your care.
• Know who will be taking care of you. Know how long
the treatment will last. Know how you should feel.
• Understand that more tests or medications may not
•
•
•
•
always be better for you. Ask your doctor how a new
test or medication will help.
Keep copies of your medical records from previous
hospital stays and share them with your health care
team. This will give them better information about your
health history.
Do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion. If you are
unsure about the best treatment for your illness, talk with
one or two additional doctors. The more information you
have about all the kinds of treatment available to you, the
better you will feel about the decisions made.
Ask your doctor to recommend a support group you
can join to help deal with your condition. People in these
groups may help you prepare for the days and weeks
ahead. They may be able to tell you what to expect and
what worked best for them.
Talk to your doctor and your family about your wishes
regarding resuscitation and other life-saving actions.
The goal of the Speak Up™ program is to help patients and their advocates become more informed and involved in their health care.
SpeakUP
TM
Everyone has a role in making health care safe.
That includes doctors, health care executives,
nurses and many health care technicians. Health
care organizations all across the country are working
to make health care safe. As a patient, you can make
your care safer by being an active, involved and
informed member of your health care team.
To prevent
health care
errors,
patients are
urged to...
SpeakUP
Help Prevent
Errors in
Your Care
An Institute of Medicine report says that medical
mistakes are a serious problem in the health care
system. The IOM says that public awareness of the
problem is an important step in making things better.
TM
The Joint Commission is the largest health care
accrediting body in the United States that
promotes quality and safety.
Helping health care organizations help patients
The “Speak Up™” program is sponsored by The
Joint Commission. They agree that patients should
be involved in their own health care. These efforts
to increase patient awareness and involvement are
also supported by the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
This program gives simple advice on how you can
help make health care a good experience. Research
shows that patients who take part in decisions about
their own health care are more likely to get better
faster. To help prevent health care mistakes, patients
are urged to “Speak Up.”
S
peak up if you have questions or concerns. If you
still do not understand, ask again. It is your body
and you have a right to know.
• Your health is very important. Do not worry about being
embarrassed if you do not understand something that your
doctor, nurse or other health care professional tells you.
If you do not understand because you speak another
language,ask for someone who speaks your language.
You have the right to get free help from someone who
speaks your language.
• Do not be afraid to ask about safety. If you are having
surgery, ask the doctor to mark the area that is to be
operated on.
• Do not be afraid to tell the nurse or the doctor if you think
you are about to get the wrong medicine.
• Do not be afraid to tell a health care professional if you
think he or she has confused you with another patient.
P
get that information are from your doctor, your library, support
groups, and respected Web sites, like the Centers for Disease
Control & Prevention (CDC) Web site.
• Write down important facts your doctor tells you. Ask your
doctor if he or she has any written information you can keep.
• Read all medical forms and make sure you understand them
before you sign anything. If you do not understand, ask your
doctor or nurse to explain them.
• Make sure you know how to work any equipment that is being
used in your care. If you use oxygen at home, do not smoke
or let anyone smoke near you.
A
•
• Tell your nurse or doctor if something does not seem right.
• Expect health care workers to introduce themselves. Look
•
E
ducate yourself about your illness. Learn about the
medical tests you get, and your treatment plan.
• Ask your doctor about the special training and experience
that qualifies him or her to treat your illness.
sk a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate
(advisor or supporter).
• Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think
ay attention to the care you get. Always make sure
you are getting the right treatments and medicines by
the right health care professionals. Do not assume anything.
for their identification (ID) badges. A new mother should
know the person who she hands her baby to. If you do
not know who the person is, ask for their ID.
• Notice whether your caregivers have washed their hands.
Hand washing is the most important way to prevent infections.
Do not be afraid to remind a doctor or nurse to do this.
• Know what time of the day you normally get medicine.
If you do not get it, tell your nurse or doctor.
• Make sure your nurse or doctor checks your ID. Make sure
he or she checks your wristband and asks your name before
he or she gives you your medicine or treatment.
what medicines you take and why you take them.
K now
Medicine errors are the most common health care mistakes.
• Look for information about your condition. Good places to
•
•
•
•
about when you are stressed. Your advocate can also help
remember answers to questions you have asked or write
down information being discussed.
Ask this person to stay with you, even overnight, when you are
hospitalized. You may be able to rest better. Your advocate can
help make sure you get the correct medicines and treatments.
Your advocate should be someone who can communicate well
and work cooperatively with medical staff for your best care.
Make sure this person understands the kind of care you want
and respects your decisions.
Your advocate should know who your health care proxy
decision-maker is; a proxy is a person you choose to sign a
legal document so he or she can make decisions about your
health care when you are unable to make your own decisions.
Your advocate may also be your proxy under these
circumstances. They should know this ahead of time.
Go over the consents for treatment with your advocate and
health care proxy, if your proxy is available, before you sign
them. Make sure you all understand exactly what you are
about to agree to.
Make sure your advocate understands the type of care you
will need when you get home. Your advocate should know
what to look for if your condition is getting worse. He or she
should also know who to call for help.
• Ask about why you should take the medicine. Ask for written
•
•
•
•
•
•
information about it, including its brand and generic names.
Also ask about the side effects of all medicines.
If you do not recognize a medicine, double-check that it is
for you. Ask about medicines that you are to take by mouth
before you swallow them. Read the contents of the bags
of intravenous (IV) fluids. If you are not well enough to do
this, ask your advocate to do it.
If you are given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take
for the liquid to run out. Tell the nurse if it does not seem to
be dripping right (too fast or too slow).
Whenever you get a new medicine, tell your doctors and
nurses about allergies you have, or negative reactions
you have had to other medicines.
If you are taking a lot of medicines, be sure to ask your
doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take those medicines
together. Do the same thing with vitamins, herbs and
over-the-counter drugs.
Make sure you can read the handwriting on prescriptions
written by your doctor. If you cannot read it, the pharmacist
may not be able to either. Ask somebody at the doctor’s
office to print the prescription, if necessary.
Carry an up-to-date list of the medicines you are taking in your
purse or wallet. Write down how much you take and when you
take it. Go over the list with your doctor and other caregivers.
U
se a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health
care organization that has been carefully checked out.
For example, The Joint Commission visits hospitals to see if they
are meeting The Joint Commission’s quality standards.
• Ask about the health care organization’s experience in
taking care of people with your type of illness. How often
do they perform the procedure you need? What special
care do they provide to help patients get well?
• If you have more than one hospital to choose from, ask
your doctor which one has the best care for your condition.
• Before you leave the hospital or other facility, ask about
follow-up care and make sure that you understand all
the instructions.
• Go to Quality Check at www.qualitycheck.org to find out
whether your hospital or other health care organization is
“accredited.” Accredited means that the hospital or health
care organization works by rules that make sure that
patient safety and quality standards are followed.
P
articipate in all decisions about your treatment.
You are the center of the health care team.
• You and your doctor should agree on exactly what will
be done during each step of your care.
• Know who will be taking care of you. Know how long
the treatment will last. Know how you should feel.
• Understand that more tests or medications may not
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always be better for you. Ask your doctor how a new
test or medication will help.
Keep copies of your medical records from previous
hospital stays and share them with your health care
team. This will give them better information about your
health history.
Do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion. If you are
unsure about the best treatment for your illness, talk with
one or two additional doctors. The more information you
have about all the kinds of treatment available to you, the
better you will feel about the decisions made.
Ask your doctor to recommend a support group you
can join to help deal with your condition. People in these
groups may help you prepare for the days and weeks
ahead. They may be able to tell you what to expect and
what worked best for them.
Talk to your doctor and your family about your wishes
regarding resuscitation and other life-saving actions.
The goal of the Speak Up™ program is to help patients and their advocates become more informed and involved in their health care.
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