People requiring medical treatment at a hospital should know how to be their own health advocate; especially in the summer.
July can be the worst month to check into a teaching hospital because of new and inexperienced residents starting their training. A study done by University of California San Diego suggests medical errors increase 10 percent compared with the average of other months. The study was reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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According to Prevention Magazine, up to 98,000 deaths occur each year because of medical mistakes.
The following is a checklist Prevention suggests for anyone checking into the hospital.
Check your doctor's experience
Don't be afraid to ask how often a doctor has performed the procedure you are about to receive. Check that the doctor is board certified in their specialty.
Say no to Fridays and weekends for surgery
According to Prevention, weekends, nights, and holidays are not the best times for procedures.
A study from the University of Toronto said stroke patients treated on Saturday or Sunday were more likely to die compared to those treated during the week. The reason? Staffing is often less, lab results take longer and on call doctors have to get to the hospital from their homes.
Use electronic records
There can be more mistakes with handwritten medication orders than electronic ones. In a study by Weill Cornell Medical College, researchers found 37 errors for every 100 paper prescriptions compared to 7 for every 100 e-prescriptions.
Bring your actual prescription bottles
According to Prevention, you should bring your prescriptions with you to the hospital and not just have your medications written down to give to a doctor. it can help cut down he chance of mistakes involving doses and interactions.
Get a blood clot screening
According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England, all patients admitted should be assessed for their risk of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT can be deadly if a clot travels to the lungs and causes a blockage known as a pulmonary embolism. Those at risk for blood clots can be treated with leg compression stockings and a shot of a blood-thinning drug.
So if you are not screened for blood clots, you should ask to be.
Bring someone with you
It is helpful to have family or a friend go to the hospital with you to act as your health advocate; especially if you're worried, stressed or will be sedated for any length of time.
Know what the surgery plan will be
Prevention said a doctor should talk to his/her operating team to make sure they know who you are, what procedure you're having and where it is taking place.
Don't get shortchanged by shift changes
Apparently medical mishaps are more likely to occur during a shift change, according to Prevention Magazine. It recommends having the outgoing medical personnel review your chart and inform you what treatment you should get next.
Watch for hand washing
Prevention suggests patients ask everyone to wash their hands before starting treatment. Hand sanitizer dispensers are often located outside or inside hospital rooms.
Ask for a room cleaning
A room is supposed to be completely cleaned between patients, but you can ask that common areas in the room are disinfected.
Two surprising germ magnets
According to Prevention, a doctor's tie or necklace and stethoscopes. A recent study suggests neckties worn by doctors can carry dangerous pathogens. In a separate study, researchers looked at stethoscopes used by emergency medical workers in New Jersey and found they might not be cleaned as often as they should, potentially carrying bacteria.
Prevent falls
In hospitals, a majority of falls happen on the way to the bathroom according to Prevention. So if your not steady on your feet, ask for help.