Original PDF Flash format five-steps-to-safer-health-care.-patient-fact-sheet  


Five Steps To Safer Health Care. Patient Fact Sheet
Five Steps to
Safer Health Care
1 Ask questions if you have doubts or
concerns.
Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers. Choose a doctor you feel
comfortable talking to. Take a relative or friend with you to help you ask questions and
understand the answers.
2Keep and bring a list of ALL the
medicines you take.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines that you take, including non-
prescription medicines. Tell them about any drug allergies you have. Ask about side effects
and what to avoid while taking the medicine. Read the label when you get your medicine,
including all warnings. Make sure your medicine is what the doctor ordered and know how
to use it. Ask the pharmacist about your medicine if it looks different than you expected.
3Get the results of any test or procedure.
Ask when and how you will get the results of tests or procedures. Don’t assume the
results are fine if you do not get them when expected, be it in person, by phone, or by
mail. Call your doctor and ask for your results. Ask what the results mean for your care.
4Talk to your doctor about which hospital
is best for your health needs.
Ask your doctor about which hospital has the best care and results for your condition if you
have more than one hospital to choose from. Be sure you understand the instructions you get
about follow-up care when you leave the hospital.
5Make sure you understand what will
happen if you need surgery.
Make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during
the operation. Ask your doctor, “Who will manage my care when I am in the hospital?”
Ask your surgeon: Exactly what will you be doing? About how long will it take? What will
happen after the surgery? How can I expect to feel during recovery? Tell the surgeon,
anesthesiologist, and nurses about any allergies, bad reaction to anesthesia, and any
medications you are taking.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with
American Hospital Association
American Medical Association
Pub No. AHRQ 04-M005