This week we talked about medical errors. Rather than go with an article that discussed how medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, I chose an article about the things patients can do that will help protect themselves from medical errors. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014), one in seven Medicare patients in hospitals experience a medical error. These errors can occur anywhere in the health care system and can range from harmless to deadly.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014), stated that the best way a patient can help to prevent medical errors is to be an active member of their health care team. Patients should be involved in every decision made and …show more content…
Bring a list of all your medications / supplements to your doctor appointment.
3. Tell all doctors about allergic & adverse reactions you have had to medications.
4. When the doctor writes a prescription for you, make sure that it is legible.
5. Make sure you understand the information about your medication.
6. Ask when picking up your prescription, if this is the medication your doctor prescribed.
7. Ask, if you don’t understand something or need it clarified.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask health care workers whether they washed their hands, if they are going to touch you.
9. Ask the doctor for a clear and understandable treatment plan you are to follow at home.
10. If you are having surgery make sure that you, your doctor and the surgeon agree on exactly what is going to be done.
11. If you have a choice, choose a hospital where many patients have had the procedure you are having.
12. Speak up if you have questions.
13. Make sure your doctors have all important health information. The main point of all of these tips is to be involved in your own medical care and never be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t seem right or concerns you. These are just a few of the recommendations provided on the U.S. Health and Human Services website; the rest can be found at
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014), stated that the best way a patient can help to prevent medical errors is to be an active member of their health care team. Patients should be involved in every decision made and …show more content…
Bring a list of all your medications / supplements to your doctor appointment.
3. Tell all doctors about allergic & adverse reactions you have had to medications.
4. When the doctor writes a prescription for you, make sure that it is legible.
5. Make sure you understand the information about your medication.
6. Ask when picking up your prescription, if this is the medication your doctor prescribed.
7. Ask, if you don’t understand something or need it clarified.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask health care workers whether they washed their hands, if they are going to touch you.
9. Ask the doctor for a clear and understandable treatment plan you are to follow at home.
10. If you are having surgery make sure that you, your doctor and the surgeon agree on exactly what is going to be done.
11. If you have a choice, choose a hospital where many patients have had the procedure you are having.
12. Speak up if you have questions.
13. Make sure your doctors have all important health information. The main point of all of these tips is to be involved in your own medical care and never be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t seem right or concerns you. These are just a few of the recommendations provided on the U.S. Health and Human Services website; the rest can be found at