Patient Safety

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"How to be a better patient"

You and your PCP are a team. Take part in every health care decision and be an active member of your health care team. Here are some helpful tips that will make you a better, more informed patient:

• Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions! And when you don’t understand, ask again. If you don’t understand something your doctor is trying to explain let your doctor know.
• Take notes. You may not always remember everything the doctor tells you. Take notes and you won’t have to worry about forgetting.
• Take a friend or family member along if you have trouble communicating or understanding.
• If you have tests done and don’t hear any results, don’t assume that no news is good news. Follow up.

Medicines:

• Inform all of your doctors of all the medications that you are taking. This includes prescription drugs, over the counter medicine and any dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs
• Make sure your doctors know about any allergies and adverse reactions you’ve had to any medicine.
• When you get a prescription from your doctor be sure you can read it.

Ask questions!

• What is the medicine for?
• Are there any side effects? What should I do if they occur?
• How do I take it and for how long?
• Is it safe with other medicines or vitamins?
• What food or activities should I avoid while taking the medicine?
• Double check with the pharmacist that the prescription was filled correctly
• Make sure you understand the directions on the prescription before you leave the pharmacy.

Hospital Stays:

• If you have a choice, pick a hospital at which many patients have had the procedure or surgery you need.
• Wash your hands and ask the health care workers if they’ve done the same.
• Understand your treatment plan that you will use at home before you leave the hospital.
• If you’re having surgery, be sure you and your doctor all agree and are clear on exactly what procedure will be done.