Daily Preparedness

(This information comes primarily from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, which inspects and issues accreditation to hospitals and other organizations that deliver medical care.)

The Speak Up program urges patients to get involved in their care. Research has shown that medical errors are a serious problem in the health care system. Informed, involved patients have the lowest occurrence of life-threatening errors. Remember, you are an important part of your healthcare team! By following the guidelines below, you can be your own best defense.

Speak up if you have questions or concerns. If you do not understand the answer, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know what is happening. Your health is too important to be embarrassed by asking for clarification. Speak up if you think you are receiving the wrong medication, test, or procedure. Ask your doctor to mark the part of your body that will be operated on. Don’t hesitate to tell the health care provider if you think they have you mixed up with another patient.

Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Don’t assume anything! Expect healthcare providers to introduce themselves, have a visible ID batch and double check your identity before proceeding. Notice whether caregivers wash their hands before tending to you and gently remind them if they fail to do so. Hand washing is the single most effective deterrent to infection. If something doesn’t seem right, STOP and ask the person to clarify. If you are not comfortable with the answer, ask for a supervisor. If you are not comfortable with the process used in a procedure, demand that the healthcare provider stop.

Educate yourself about your diagnosis, medical care and treatment plan. Ask the doctors you visit what training, certification and experience they have in treating your condition. Know what it means for a doctor to be ‘board certified’. Use legitimate websites to check your doctor’s qualifications. Gather information from your doctor, pharmacist, insurer, the library and respected websites about your condition. Thoroughly read all forms before you sign them. Make certain you understand any equipment or medications you are prescribed. Know how to use (or take) them and what side effects to watch for.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate. This is vitally important if you must be hospitalized for out-patient or in-patient treatment. Your advocate can help you keep track of information provided to you, ask questions you may not think of, write notes of what is said and Speak Up for you if you can’t. Make certain your advocate knows your wishes regarding your care, life support and resuscitation. Ask your advocate to review consents or other forms you are asked to sign. If necessary, put in writing that your advocate can discuss your care with your providers. Your advocate should thoroughly understand the care you require when you are released.

Know what medications you take and WHY you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistake. Ask about the purpose of any medication you are prescribed, its benefits, side effects and potential hazards. Make certain that all prescribing doctors know ALL medications, vitamins and supplements that you take. This MUST include all herbal remedies, naturopathic medications or other things you ingest. If you do not recognize a medication (the shape, color, etc) changes or seems unfamiliar, double check that it is for you and the correct medication! Before swallowing any pill, make certain that you, your advocate and the person dispensing the pill know what you are taking. Read the contents of IV bags and know how long they should run. If you are not well enough to do this, ask your advocate to do it for you. Alter the nursing staff if the IV becomes painful, stops flowing or begins to flow more rapidly. Watch IV lines for excess air bubbles. Be certain that your physician, nurses and pharmacist know about any reactions that you have had to medications in the past. Use the same pharmacist for all prescriptions—this will help rule out adverse medication interactions. Make sure you can read the prescription handed to you. If you can’t, the pharmacist may not be able to either.

Use an ambulatory care center, surgery center, primary care or other type of healthcare organization that has been inspected and certified by a nationally recognized accreditation board such as JCAHO. Ask about the centers experience in caring for your condition. How frequently do they perform the procedure you need? If you have a choice between facilities, ask your doctor which one offers the best care for your condition. Ask them why they make that recommendation. Be certain that you understand about follow-up care and what to watch for before you leave the center. Be certain that you have numbers to call in case you have questions. Check www.jcaho.org to find out if the care center is accredited.

Participate 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. If you are an inpatient, be certain that nurses are following doctors’ orders. Understand why more tests or medications are being ordered. More is not always better. Keep copies of your medical records and share them with your health care team. Don’t be afraid to get a second or third or fourth opinion. Do not be afraid to change doctors if yours doesn’t want you to be actively involved in your care. Seek out others who have undergone the same procedure you are considering. Look for support groups, online message boards and reputable websites. Sharing information with others who have gone through what you are facing can be most helpful in facing what lies ahead. They can often help you prepare strategies that will ensure the best outcome possible.