(Reprinted with permission of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
What are medical errors?
Medical errors are mistakes that can happen with medicine, surgery, tests and other parts of your healthcare. Below is an example of a medical error:
Getting the wrong medicine is a medical error.
What can you do?
You can help protect yourself and your family from medical errors. The most important way you can do this is to communicate. Talk to your doctor, nurse and other healthcare workers.
• Tell them important things about your health.
• Ask them questions.
• Make decisions about your healthcare with them.
What can you do to make sure you get the right medicine?
Here is an example of another medical error:
Your doctor or drugstore gives you the wrong kind of medicine.
What can you do?
Bring all your medications with you to show your doctor. This includes things like cold medicine, aspirin, vitamins and herbs. This will help your doctor make sure that your new medicine does not cause problems with ones you already take.
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies. Also let your doctor know about any problems your medicines have caused-such as a rash or stomach ache.
• When your doctor gives you a prescription, look at the writing. Is it easy to read? If you can’t make out the letters, the drugstore may not be able to either.
• When you pick up your medicine at the drugstore, make sure it is what your doctor ordered.
What you can do to make sure you take the right amount?
Here is an example of a medical error:
You take too much or too little of your medicine.
What can you do?
Ask your doctor:
• At what times of day should I take this medicine?
• Do I need to take it with food?
• How much should I take each time?
• That is, how many pills or how much liquid?
• If you have more questions when you pick up your medicine at the drugstore, ask the pharmacist.
• Know how to measure your liquid medicine. The label might use the word “teaspoon.”
But do not use spoons you eat with to measure medicine. These do not hold the right amount. Instead, use a special container that can be found at your drugstore.
What can you do to help yourself get better faster?
Here is an example of a medical error:
You get sick from staying in the hospital.
What can you do?
Illness can spread in hospitals when healthcare workers do not wash their hands or wear gloves. It is okay to ask anyone whotouches you whether they have washed their hands. Know what foods your doctor doesn’t want you to eat.
What can you do to make sure that doctor operates on the right side of your body?
Here is an example of a medical error:
The doctor operates on the wrong part of the body.
What can you do?
• Talk to your doctor about the surgery. Ask what will be done. Ask where it will be done and the name of the surgeon.
• Ask if the surgeon does this kind of surgery often. Ask if many people have this surgery done at the hospital or clinic. People do better if they have an experienced surgeon.
• Ask your surgeon to make a mark with a pen before the surgery on the part of your body where the surgery will happen. Some doctors will sign their initials on the right part. You can help prevent medical errors.
Remember: The most important way to do this is to communicate. Talk to your doctor, nurse, and other healthcare workers. Bringing a friend or family member along can help.
To learn more about medical errors, call the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at (800) 358-9295 or go to www.ahrq.gov/qual/errorsix.htm on the web.
Here are five tips from the Federal Government on how to prevent medical errors:
1. Speak up if you have questions or concerns.
2. Keep a list of all the medications you take.
3. Make sure you get the results of any test or procedure.
4. Talk with your doctor and healthcare team about your options if you need hospital care.
5. Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery.