3 Ways to Stop Medical Mistakes

It could be a matter of life and death.   If you are hospitalized here are 3 ways to make sure mistakes don’t happen:

1.   BE THERE! Stay with the patient at all times.  NEVER leave a hospitalized friend or family member alone.  Even if you have to hire a private duty nurse for night times.

2.  ASK QUESTIONS! Don’t worry about sounding nosy or seeming annoying.  Memorize the “five rights” of medication safety:  Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route (such as IV or oral), Right Time.

3.  KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! And enforce them.  These include the right to see your medical records.  Go with your gut.  If it seems like the wrong time for a medication, or if the medicine suddenly looks different, ask questions before accepting it or before letting your friend or family member accept it.