Tips on Patient Safety

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have doubts or concerns: Speak up! This will allow your healthcare providers an opportunity to better assist you. We want you to understand your treatment plan. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results.
   
   
2. Involve your loved ones: Keep your loved ones informed about your treatment plan.
   
   
3. Make sure you and your caregivers are clear about what medications you take: Be sure to tell your caregivers what medications you are taking, including non-prescription medications, vitamins and herbal remedies. When you receive a medication ask what it is and make sure it is the right medication and the right dose.
   
   
4. Make sure your healthcare provider is aware of all of your allergies.
   
   
5. Infection: Don’t pass it on! Did you know that each year, many lives and millions of dollars are lost due to the spread of infections in the hospital? Don’t be afraid to remind friends, family and healthcare providers (Doctors, nurses, nurses aides) to wash and sanitize their hands before coming into direct contact with you.
   
   
6. If you have a test or exam, don’t assume no news is good news. Ask about the results. This needs to be done if it is ordered in the hospital or out of the hospital. If something doesn’t seem right, call it to the attention of your doctor. Ask your doctor why he is ordering the test or exam. Be informed!
   
   
7. While in the hospital or before a doctors visit write down questions that you would like to discuss with your doctor. It is hard to remember everything, so write it down!
   
   
8. Know what to do after being discharged from MCH: Make sure you understand what you need to do to continue your care at home. Take time to speak to your caregivers about what medications you’ll need and when you’ll need to take them. Make sure you have contact information for one or more of your caregivers in case you have further questions once you get home.
   
   
9. If you are given a prescription make sure you can read it. If you can’t read your doctor’s handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either.
   
   
10. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand-both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them.
    
    
11. When you pick your medicine up from the pharmacy, ask: is this the medicine that my Doctor prescribed?