Hospital Health Care Safety Tips

Along with your doctors and nurses, you can play an important part in making sure that you receive the best health care. Here are some things to keep in mind to help hospitals keep you safe and healthy.

• Health care workers should always wash their hands before helping you with your care. This prevents the spread of infection. Don’t be afraid to ask if they washed their hands.
• Health care workers should always check your wrist bracelet or ask your name before giving you medications or taking blood tests. This is a very important safety check, and should happen every time. If they don’t check, tell them your name.
• If you are having surgery, talk to your doctor about how it will help you, other options you could choose and what problems could occur because of the surgery. Ask your doctor about marking the area that is to be operated on, so that there is no confusion in the operating room.
• Health care workers should always explain your care and treatment to you. Don’t be afraid to ask about any medicine, test, or treatment if you have any question about why you are getting it. Don’t be embarrassed if you do not understand something. Tell your doctor or nurse if something doesn’t seem right.
• Be involved in all decisions about your care. You are the center of your health care team.
• If you would like specific information about what your hospital is doing to promote patient safety, ask them.

You can learn more about what nationally recognized health care agencies recommend for safe hospital care by visiting the following web sites:

The Leapfrog Group:
http://www.leapfroggroup.org/cp

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations: http://www.jointcommission.org/PatientSafety/

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality:
http://www.ahcpr.gov/qual/errorsix.htm