10 Ways to Avoid Medical Errors

Medical errors are one of this Nation's leading causes of death and injury. A recent report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 44,000 to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. This means that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS.

The Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association is an organization committed to helping you to protect your safety. Listed below are 10 ways that you can help yourself avoid being a victim of a medical error.

Get Involved

1. Be Involved with Your Treatment
   You have the right to be involved with every medical decision that involves your health care. Ask questions, and make your physicians answer them. Research shows that patients that are involved with their care get better results.

2. Tell Your Doctor Everything
   When you go to the doctor, be prepared to tell him or her everything about your medical history. If necessary, write it down, and hand a copy of the writing to your doctor. Tell your doctor every medicine you are taking, not just prescription medication, but also all over-the-counter medicines, herbs, and supplements. Explain fully all known allergies and conditions.

Hospital Stays

3. Research Your Hospital
   Choose a hospital that has experience in performing your surgical procedure. Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their condition.

4. One Person, Such as Your Personal Physician, Should Coordinate Your Treatment
   We live in an age of specialization. During any given hospital stay, you may be seen by any variety of specialists. Each of these specialists may be providing treatment to you, prescribing medications, and ordering tests. As a patients, you need to identify the one doctor who is coordinating your care. This physician then becomes a critical reference source for you, and ensures that the care is provided to you by multiple physicians is consistent and not counter-productive, or worse.

5. "Have You Washed Your Hands?"
   Ask the question of every health care provider that walks into your room. Sure, you may make the person feel uncomfortable (especially if they have not washed their hands), but handwashing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. If you don't want to ask the question, wear a button, or post a sign in your room, that asks the question for you.

6. Know Who is Performing Your Surgery
   At teaching hospitals, many surgeries are performed by surgical residents. Likewise, in many hospitals, physician's assistants and nurse anesthetists perform functions traditionally performed only by physicians and anesthesiologists. Ensure that your surgery is performed by the surgeon whom you have selected.

7. Everybody Needs a Wingman
   Don't go alone. When going into the hospital for surgery, bring a friend or family member who will be your advocate. Even if you don't think you need help upon admission, you might need it later. Bring someone who is articulate and forceful, and fully informed about your surgery or medical condition.

8. Know Your Discharge Instructions
   Make sure you know your restrictions, your medications, when you should return for an appointment with your doctor, and what to expect when you get home. As more and more surgeries are performed on an out-patient basis, patients are being discharged in many cases while they are still groggy and disoriented from the surgical procedure. If you are uncertain, get written instructions, and a telephone number you can call for immediate help when you get home.

Medications

9. Know Your Medications
   When your physician writes a prescription for you, look at it and try to read it. If you can't read it, your pharmacist may not be able to read it either. Know what medicine your doctor is prescribing. Ask about the strength, the dosage, and what the medicine looks like. Ask about the side effects, and what food, drink or activities you should avoid while taking the medication. A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88% of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or wrong dose. Knowing your medication is your best defense against a medicine error.

10. Be Informed
    We live in an age of information. Your best defense against medical errors is to be an informed patient. Learn about your condition and treatments from reliable sources. Ask questions, and don't settle for anything less than a satisfactory answer. Your health may depend upon it.