Hospital errors: 9 questions that could save your life
The good news? Patients and their family members can greatly reduce the threat posed by hospital mistakes simply by speaking up. Keep clicking as Dr. Classen explains nine questions that might save your life...
What's going on?
Unsure about what's going on - whether that pill in the nurse's hand is the right one, for example, or whether that doctor's hands are freshly washed? Speak up. Ask questions. If there's any doubt about what's going on, ask the staff to stop and explain things before proceeding. Speaking up is probably the single most important way to reduce your risk of being injured by a hospital error.Are your hands clean?
Germs pose a constant threat to hospital patients, especially critically ill ones and those who have undergone surgery. Hand-washing is a key way of reducing the threat. Hospital workers are supposed to clean their hands before touching you - but they sometimes forget when things get busy. If you don't observe a worker washing his/her hands (or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) before touching you, ask about it. Be sure to ask your visitors to wash their hands too.Have you looked at my list?
Trashing or flushing away your old medications can be a safety hazard. Instead, ditch old drugs on April 30th, Drug Take-Back Day, at designated locations.