Ways to avoid being one of the high numbers in medical errors

 

[caption id="attachment_4135" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Doctors office"][/caption]

by Carol Forsloff - With
medical mistakes an issue these days, it's good to know how to avoid
them, especially when the health care profession is stressed and more
mistakes can happen.


Some of these prevention tips might even save your life.

According to some estimates,  98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals from medical
errors each year. But there are some steps a patient can take to better
ensure hospital safety.

Furthermore it was found that between 1998 and 2005 there was an increase of 270% in medical errors.

Attorneys
who are in the business of seeing individuals who have been victims of
medical malpractice known how some of these problems occur and are often
in the best position to give tips on prevention because of that.


The passive patient may not get the same level of attention and have
more mistakes than the patient who asks some hard questions.  For
example, it is important to know what medications you are taking and to
make sure that the caregivers who communicate with each other know about
these medications.



Medication mistakes are frequent enough in hospitals for patients to
make sure this information is translated throughout the individual's
care-giving system.

The
patient should also make sure the proper personal information and
details are properly documented that include name, medical history and
any drug allergies.


Make sure that all personal information such as your name, medical
history, and drug allergies are correct and properly documented. Doctors
and nurses can make mistakes. Something as minor as a misspelled name
could lead to mistakes in medication and dosage that could cause serious
harm or death.


One of the more dangerous risks of hospitalization is acquiring an
infection. Patients should be observant to make sure caregivers
disinfect instruments and properly wash their hands, especially before
any invasive surgery.


Research whether your hospital is a teaching hospital and avoid having
any unnecessary medical procedures during July, which is when recent
medical school graduates begin their practice.  That is also the time
when more deaths result from medical errors.


Research the cost and background of the anesthesiologists because some
of them are not covered in health care plans.  Errors can also occur in
the administration of medication for surgery, although these are rare.


Personal and insurance information private so that thieves don't have
access to identities that can be used by others to cover their own

bills.  Also check medical bills for fraud or for mistakes..