What can we do to help protect ourselves from possible mistakes in the doctor's office, clinic or hospital? Some mistakes are beyond our control and as patients seeking medical care, we often have to trust our providers, because they have training and experience that we don't have -- the reason we seek medical care in the first place. Sometimes our providers can make simple errors, though, that we can help avoid if we look out for ourselves. Here are five easy ways that we can help look out for ourselves during a medical visit:
1. Know What's Going to Happen Before it Happens
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If you know what to expect from a test, procedure or treatment plan, then you may be able to recognize when something isn't right. This will be easier to do than it sounds because of the marvel of the Internet. With a few key strokes, you'll have a tremendous amount of information available that will give you a heads-up on your procedure or treatment plan. Many of the procedures, tests and treatments needed for acute and chronic hepatitis are explained on many quality sites, including this one.
2. Ask Questions and Take Notes
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If you don't understand why something is being done, ask! This is so important to do, and yet many people choose not to use this powerful tool. By asking questions and expecting complete answers, you automatically become active in your healthcare. Also, if you feel uncomfortable talking with your provider or think that you aren't getting good answers, you should consider asking for someone else. Sometimes this isn't possible, but effective communication is so important to your medical care that it's worth the try.
3. Demand Proper Hygiene
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Washing hands is so easy that sometimes we forget how important it is. Hand washing is actually the single best action we can do to prevent the spread of many bacteria and viruses. Look to see if your providers wash their hands before doing anything. Many of them do, but you want to watch out for the ones who don't. If you aren't sure if their hands are clean, ask them to wash their hands.
4. Make Sure It's Clean
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This is so basic that many of you will assume it's a given. Whether you're in a hospital, clinic or doctor's office, you should have a clean room. Look out for spilled blood or anything that suggests improper cleaning. If you see something, ask questions. Furthermore, you should know that any piece of equipment that is used on you should be clean. In today's healthcare system, many things are single use (such as needles, syringe, vials, tubing), and you should be able to see your nurse or doctor removing the item from its packaging.
5. Have a Friend Nearby
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It never hurts to have an extra set of eyes and ears on your side. If possible, go to a medical appointment with a trusted friend. In addition to looking out for you, your friend can help you remember important instructions and even help ask some good questions.
