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home - commitment to quality - our patient safety | | |
| OUR PATIENT SAFETY |
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What Patients Can Do To Prevent Medical Errors
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Medical errors are unintended outcomes that can result in patient harm. Sometimes errors happen because of negligence or intentionally unsafe acts, and in those cases we have to hold individual practitioners and facilities accountable. However, the vast majority of medical errors occur as a result of "systems" problems, a series of events involving many people performing different functions in complex health-care settings. |
The potential for errors is much greater today than it was a century ago due to the combination of human factors, high-tech electronic equipment and sophisticated, often dangerous, medications and procedures. But we can reduce medical errors by identifying where mistakes might happen before they actually occur. |
While the Patient Safety Authority works with hospitals, free-standing ambulatory surgical facilities, and individual providers like physicians, nurses, pharmacists and technicians to prevent medical errors, there are also steps patients can take to assure quality care. After all, as a consumer, you should become more involved in your health care by asking questions, becoming informed, and advocating for yourself and your loved ones. |
Here are some valuable tips, which were developed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), as part of their SPEAK UP™ campaign: |
- SPEAK UP if you have questions or concerns about your health care and, if you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.
- PAY ATTENTION to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
- EDUCATE yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
- ASK a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
- KNOW what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.
- USE a hospital, clinic, surgery center or other type of facility that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by the state Department of Health or outside accrediting organizations.
- PARTICIPATE in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.
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You'll notice that the first letter of each of these seven tips spells out SPEAK UP™. This important patient-focused initiative is designed to encourage patients, their families and loved ones to take a more active role in their health care delivery.
Related Links
PA Safety Authority www.psa.state.pa.us
Hospital Compare www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov |
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