March 13-19 is Patient Safety Awareness Week 2016. This week-long observance dedicated to acknowledging the importance of patient safety is also a time to work on improving the conditions at all health care facilities.
As medical malpractice attorneys, we see the damage that can occur due to a simple and preventable error. Cordisco & Saile LLC is participating in Patient Safety Awareness Week by reminding our clients of a few basic patient safety tips that could help prevent a serious error.
Patient Safety at Medical Facilities
Always take someone with you when you meet with your doctor to discuss a procedure or treatment options. It is especially important to have this emotional support when discussing test results that could be upsetting. Having someone with you provides comfort and another set of ears to hear the details your doctor has to share.
If at any point during your care you feel that something is not right, speak up. You have the right to question any aspect of your health care, and also to seek a second opinion for treatment. For example, if a doctor says your only option is surgery, you may want to seek a second opinion to make certain that surgery truly is your only option.
If you are seeking care for a specific condition, educate yourself on your situation. Learn about your condition and find out what you should expect with certain tests, treatments, and procedures. Learning about your condition can put your mind at ease, and also help you identify when things seem abnormal regarding your care.
Patient Safety with Medications
Whenever you are given a new medication to take, discuss it with your pharmacist or doctor to make sure you understand the potential side effects. If you are currently on prescription medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you take any over-the-counter medications to prevent any drug interactions.
When starting on a new medication, monitor how you feel on a daily basis and note any drastic changes in your daily routine. If you feel severe fatigue, unusual pain, or any other serious side effects mentioned with your medication’s literature, contact your doctor immediately.
Do not be afraid to ask questions about when is the best time to take your medications. Good questions to ask include if you should take them with or without food, and if you need to make any lifestyle changes such as avoiding too much sunlight or eating dairy products.
Cordisco & Saile LLC Represents Patients and Families Harmed by Medical Errors and Negligence
According to the National Patient Safety Foundation, approximately one in every ten patients will develop a health care-acquired condition. Unsafe patient treatment has become a public health concern, with an estimated 44,000-98,000 deaths among hospitalized patients caused by medical error.
While improvements are occurring in the medical care community, errors still occur on a regular basis. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury or death due to the negligence of a medical professional or facility you have a right to seek damages. Contact Cordisco & Saile LLC online or call us at 215-791-8911 to schedule a FREE consultation regarding your case.
