fbpx
Your Guide To Doctors, Health Information, and Better Health!
Your Health Magazine Logo
The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Michael Freedman, MD
Medical Mistakes Third Leading Cause Of Death
Evolve Medical Clinic
. https://evolvemedicalclinics.com/

Medical Mistakes Third Leading Cause Of Death

Medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. killing between 250,000-440,000 people per year, placing it only behind heart disease and all cancers as a cause of death. Even scarier is that it is believed the number could be significantly higher because deaths at home and in nursing homes are not counted in this study only hospital deaths.

What You Can Do

It is really important that each patient take responsibility of their health care. Ask questions, be assertive and don't be afraid of either hurting someone's feelings or looking stupid. It's your health and it's your life.

Medicines

Make sure that all of your doctors know about every medicine you are taking including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbs.

Bring all of your medicines and supplements to your doctor visits.

Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.

When your doctor writes a prescription for you, make sure you can read it. Ideally, ask for electronic prescriptions to minimize this common mistake.

Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand, both when your medicines are prescribed and when you get them, such as 1) What is the medicine for? 2) How am I supposed to take it and for how long? 3) What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? 4) Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? 5) What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine? 6) At the pharmacy, ask Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed? 7) If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. 8) Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. 9) Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause.

Hospital Stays

If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health care workers who will touch you whether they have washed their hands. Hand washing can prevent the spread of infections in hospitals.

When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will follow at home. This includes learning about your new medicines, making sure you know when to schedule follow-up appointments, and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities.

It is important to know whether or not you should keep taking the medicines you were taking before your hospital stay. Getting clear instructions may help prevent an unexpected return trip to the hospital.

Surgery

If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done. Having surgery at the wrong site is rare. But even once is too often. The good news is that wrong-site surgery is 100% preventable. Surgeons are expected to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery.

If you have a choice, choose a hospital where many patients have had the procedure or surgery you need. Remember the more frequently they do the surgery, the better job they will do.

Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have a right to question anyone who is involved with your care.

www.yourhealthmagazine.net
MD (301) 805-6805 | VA (703) 288-3130