Physician offers patients advice in newspaper column
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
August 29, 2005
Patients have a role to play in creating a culture of hospital safety. In a Framingham, MA-based MetroWest Daily News, was written by Alan M. Harvey outlines things patients can do to ensure safer caere. Harvey, M.D., M.B.A., is president of the Massachusetts Medical Society.Harvey said hospitals have worked hard to achieve the culture of safety outlined by the Institute of Medicine's 1999 study, To Err is Human, but patients can play a role in making hospital visits safer and more comfortable.
Harvey advises patients to:
- Know what medicines they take and keep a list that's easily accessible
- Ask about treatments rendered to make sure it's what the physician actually ordered
- Compile an accurate family medical history
- Know who's been placed in charge of your care
- Ask for test results if you feel they're taking too long
- Learn about medical terminology to better understand your treatment
- Always ask questions.
To read the complete column, click here.
