An influential report from the Institute of Medicine estimates that up to 98,000 Americans die every year from medical
mistakes in hospitals alone. That's about 3,230 preventable deaths in the FEHB Program a year. While death is the most
tragic outcome, medical mistakes cause other problems such as permanent disabilities, extended hospital stays, longer
recoveries, and even additional treatments. By asking questions, learning more and understanding your risks, you can
improve the safety of your own health care, and that of your family members. Take these simple steps:
- Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns.
- Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers.
- Choose a doctor with whom you feel comfortable talking.
- Take a relative or friend with you to help you ask questions and understand answers.
- Keep and bring a list of all the medicines you take.
- Bring the actual medicines or give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines that you take, including nonprescription
medicines.
- Tell them about any drug allergies you have.
- Ask about any risks or side effects of the medication and what to avoid while taking it. Be sure to write down what
your doctor or pharmacist says.
- Make sure your medicine is what the doctor ordered. Ask the pharmacist about your medicine if it looks different
than you expected.
- Read the label and patient package insert when you get your medicine, including all warnings and instructions.
- Know how to use your medicine. Especially note the times and conditions when your medicine should and should
not be taken.
- Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Get the results of any test or procedure.
- Ask when and how you will get the results of tests or procedures.
- Don't assume the results are fine if you do not get them when expected, be it in person, by phone, or by mail.
- Call your doctor and ask for your results.
- Ask what the results mean for your care.
- Talk to your doctor about which hospital is best for your health needs.
- Ask your doctor about which hospital has the best care and results for your condition if you have more than one
hospital to choose from to get the health care you need.
- Be sure you understand the instructions you get about follow-up care when you leave the hospital.
- Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery.
- Make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation.
- Ask your doctor, “Who will manage my care when I am in the hospital?”
- Ask your surgeon:
Exactly what will you be doing?
About how long will it take?
What will happen after surgery?
How can I expect to feel during recovery?
- Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses about any allergies, bad reaction to anesthesia, and any medications
you are taking.
Visit these Web sites for more information about patient safety.
www.ahrq.gov/path/beactive.htm. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality makes available a wide-ranging list
of topics not only to inform consumers about patient safety but to help choose quality health care providers and improve
the quality of care you receive.
www.npsf.org. The National Patient Safety Foundation has information on how to ensure safer health care for you and your family.
www.talkaboutrx.org. The National Council on Patient Information and Education is dedicated to improving communication about the safe, appropriate use of medicines.
www.leapfroggroup.org. The Leapfrog Group is active in promoting safe practices in hospital care.
www.ahqa.org. The American Health Quality Association represents organizations and health care professionals working to improve patient safety.
www.quic.gov/report. Find out what federal agencies are doing to identify threats to patient safety and help prevent mistakes in the nation's health care delivery system.
