Patient Safety
Speak Up! Help Prevent Errors in Your Care
Everyone has a role in making health care safe - doctors, health plan management, nurses and technicians. You, the patient, can also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team.
According to an Institute of Medicine 1999 report, at least 44,000 people die in hospitals each year as a result of medical errors that could have been prevented.
What Are Medical Errors?
Medical errors are mistakes that can occur with medication, surgery, tests or other parts of your health care. Some examples include:
- You receive the wrong medication at the pharmacy.
- You contract an infection from staying in the hospital.
- The doctor operates on the wrong part of your body.
- You receive an avoidable delay in diagnosis.
- There is a breakdown in communication between you and your doctor.
You can help protect yourself and your family from medical errors. The most important way you can do this is to talk! Talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist and other health care workers. Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don't understand, ask for further clarification. It's your body and you have a right to know. Some things you may wish to consider are:
- Tell your nurse or doctor if something doesn't seem quite right.
- Don't be afraid to tell the nurse or doctor if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication.
- Notice whether your caregivers have washed their hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections. Don't be afraid to gently remind a doctor or nurse to do this.
- Before you leave the hospital or other facility, ask about follow-up care and make sure that you understand all of the instructions.
If you are unable to communicate about your care and treatment or feel that you may not be able to convey questions or understand responses under stress, you may designate a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
