The Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations
urges you to get involved in your
care to help reduce the chance of a
medical error. Suggestions of the
group’s SpeakUpTM program include:
Speak up if you have questions or
concerns. If you don’t understand,
ask again. It’s your body, and you
have a right to know.
- If you’re having surgery, ask the
doctor to mark the area to be
operated on.
- Don’t be afraid to tell the nurse
or the doctor if you think you are
about to receive the wrong medication
or have been confused with
another patient.
Pay attention to the care you
are receiving. Make sure you are
getting the right treatments and
medications from the right health
care professionals.
- Tell your nurse or doctor if something
doesn’t seem quite right.
- Expect health care workers to
introduce themselves when they
enter your room; look for their
identification badges.
- Notice whether your caregivers
have washed their hands—and don’t
be afraid to gently remind them to
do so.
- Make sure your nurse or doctor
checks your wristband or asks your
name before you get any medication
or treatment.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis,
the medical tests you are
undergoing and your treatment plan.
Good information sources include
your doctor or library, respected
websites and support groups.
- Write down important facts your
doctor tells you, and ask if he or she
has any written information you
can keep.
- Thoroughly read all medical forms
and understand them before you
sign anything.
Ask a trusted family member or
friend to be your advocate. Your
advocate can ask questions you
may not think of while you are
under stress. Make sure this person
understands your wishes for care
and concerning resuscitation and
life support.
Know what medications you take
and why you take them. Medication
errors are the most common health
care mistakes.
- Ask about the purpose of the
medication, and request written
information about it, including its
brand and generic names, as well
as side effects.
- Ask about oral medications before
swallowing, and read the contents
of bags of intravenous (IV) fluids.
- If you are given an IV, ask the nurse
how long it should take for the
liquid to “run out.” Tell the nurse
if it doesn’t seem to be dripping
properly.
- Whenever you are going to receive
a new medication, tell your doctors
and nurses about allergies you have
or negative reactions you have had
to medications in the past.
- If you are taking multiple medications,
ask your doctor or pharmacist
if it’s safe to take those medications
together. This is true for vitamins,
herbal supplements and over-the-counter
drugs, too.
To learn more about your physician,
hospital, a specific procedure or
condition, or how to prepare for your
health care visit, go to the Member
Tools tab in the Health and Wellness
section in MyBlueService on our
website www.bcbsfl.com.
www.bcbsfl.com
