Empowering Better Healthcare Outcomes
It takes all of us to ensure safe healthcare outcomes. Doctors. Healthcare executives. Nurses. Technicians. And YOU. As healthcare organizations across the country work to make safety a priority, you as a patient or family member play a vital role. Here, we’ll help you become an active, involved and informed member of your healthcare team.
It’s Time to “Speak Up.”
An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report has identified the occurrence of medical errors as a serious problem in the healthcare system. The IOM recommends, among other things, that a concerted effort be made to improve the public's awareness of the problem.
The "Speak Up" program, sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), urges patients to get more involved in their own care. Such efforts to increase consumer awareness and involvement are supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This initiative provides simple advice on how you can make your care a positive experience. After all, research shows that patients/families who take part in decisions about their healthcare are more likely to have better outcomes.
Speak up if you have questions or concerns.
If you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.
- Your child's health is too important to worry about being embarrassed if you don't understand something that your doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional tells you.
- Don't be afraid to ask about safety. If you're having surgery, for example, ask the doctor to mark the area that is to be operated upon, so that there's no confusion in the operating room.
- Don't be afraid to tell the nurse or the doctor if you think you are/your child is about to receive the wrong medication.
- Don't hesitate to tell the healthcare professional if you think he or she has confused you/your child with another patient.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving.
Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right healthcare professionals. Don't assume anything.
- Tell your nurse or doctor if something doesn't seem quite right.
- Expect healthcare workers to introduce themselves when they enter your room and look for their identification badges. A new mother, for example, should know the person she is handing her baby to. If you are unsure, ask.
- 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.
- Know what time of day you/your child normally receives medication. If it doesn't happen, bring this to the attention of your nurse or doctor.
- Make sure your nurse or doctor confirms your identity, that is, checks your wristband or asks your name, before he or she administers any medication or treatment.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
- Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think of while you are under stress.
- Your advocate can also help you remember answers to questions you have asked and speak up for you if you cannot.
- Make sure this person understands your preferences for care and your wishes concerning resuscitation and life support.
- Review consents for treatment with your child's advocate before you sign them and make sure you both understand exactly what you are agreeing to.
- Make sure your advocate understands the type of care that will be needed when you get home. Your advocate should know what to look for if your child's condition is getting worse and whom to call for help.
Know the medications.
Know what medications you/your child take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common healthcare mistakes.
- Ask about the purpose of the medication and ask for written information about it, including its brand and generic names. Also, inquire about the side effects of the medication.
- If you do not recognize a medication, verify that it is for you/your child. Ask about oral medications before taking them and read the contents of bags of intravenous (IV) fluids. If you're not well enough to do this, ask your advocate to do this.
- If you or your child is given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take for the liquid to "run out." Tell the nurse if it doesn't seem to be dripping properly (that it is too fast or too slow).
- Whenever you are/your child is going to receive a new medication, tell your doctors and nurses about allergies you have/your child has, or negative reactions you have/your child has had to medications in the past.
- If you are/your child is taking multiple medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take those medications together. This also holds true for vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs.
- Make sure you can read the handwriting on any prescriptions written by your doctor. If you can't read it, the pharmacist may not be able to either.
Choose your hospital.
Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center or other type of healthcare organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established, state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by JCAHO.
- Ask about the healthcare organization's experience in treating your child's type of illness. How frequently do they perform the procedure you need/your child needs and what specialized care do they provide in helping patients get well?
- If you have/your child has more than one hospital or other facility to choose from, ask your doctor which one offers the best care for your child's condition.
- Before you leave/your child leaves the hospital or other facility, ask about follow-up care and make sure that you understand all the instructions.
- Go to Quality Check at jointcommission.org to find out whether your hospital or other healthcare organization is accredited.
Participate in all decisions.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the healthcare team.
- You and your child's doctor should agree on exactly what will be done during each step of your child's care.
- Know who will be taking care of you/your child, how long the treatment will last and how you should feel.
- Understand that more tests or medications may not always be better. Ask the doctor what a new test or medication is likely to achieve.
- Keep copies of your medical records from previous hospitalizations and share them with your healthcare team. This will give them a more complete picture of your health history.
- Don't be afraid to seek a second opinion. If you are unsure about the nature of your child's illness and the best treatment, consult with one or two additional specialists. The more information you have about the options available to you, the more confident you will be in the decisions made.
- Ask to speak with others who have undergone the procedure you are considering. These individuals can help you prepare for the days and weeks ahead. They can also tell you what to expect and what worked best for them as they recovered.
