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Five steps to safer health care
In the quest for improved patient safety, the "5 Steps to Safer Health Care" offers patients evidence-based, practical tips on ways to help improve the safety of the care that they receive. These tips could help patients avoid errors related to prescription medicines, laboratory tests and procedures and surgery.
"Patient participation has such a positive impact on the success of medical outcomes," AMA Past-President Donald J. Palmisano, MD, said. "These 5 Steps to Safer Health Care can help improve communication among all members of the health care team—with the patient at the center of that team. Step one is particularly critical: Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns. It sounds simple, but it's essential."
Developed by the American Medical Association, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Hospital Association, the materials provide valuable information about improving patient safety to health care providers and patients across the country, and emphasize that good communication between health care providers and patients can often reduce a potential source of problems in today's increasingly complex health care system.
- 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.
- Keep 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 what you expected.
- Get 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 you doctor and ask for your results. Ask what the results mean for your care.
- Talk 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.
- Make 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.
Fact Sheet developed August 2003 by AMA, AHA and HHS. Materials available in both English and Spanish.
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