Headed for the Hospital? Here's How to Protect Yourself.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006; Page HE02
Human error -- whether it stems from overworked and exhausted medical interns or other causes -- is a leading source of medical errors that kill as many as 98,000 Americans a year, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The problem is particularly acute in hospitals.
While efforts continue to be made to reduce errors -- and the costs associated with them -- several leading medical groups urge consumers to do their part to protect against mistakes. Here are some steps they advise you to take to ensure your hospital visit -- or that of a friend or family member -- is a safe one:
1 If you're having surgery and can choose where it will be done, select a hospital where the procedure is done frequently. Patient outcomes are generally better in such hospitals.
2 Ask all health-care workers who attend you to wash their hands. Hand washing remains a critical way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals, but studies show it is not done often enough, especially by physicians.
3 Ask questions. Know what drug and what dose you're being given -- and why -- before taking it. Never assume it's right just because a nurse tells you it's what the doctor ordered. Medication errors are the most common mistakes in hospitals, according to the IOM.
4 Make sure that everyone who gives you medications checks your hospital ID bracelet every time. Patient mix-ups are more common than supposed in hospitals.
5 Make sure any allergies are noted prominently in your chart and mention them to everyone who attends you. Likewise, make sure your chart notes every medication you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
6 Try to have an advocate on hand -- a trusted friend or family member who can monitor the situation and actively seek help if there's a problem. Chasing down doctors or care or needed information can be nearly impossible when you're bed-bound, doped up or in pain. In some cases it might be advisable to hire a private-duty nurse overnight when staffing tends to be light and some studies show mistakes are more likely to occur.
