Everyone has a role in making health care safe, including physicians, health care executives, nurses, and technicians. Health care organizations across the country are working to make health care safety a priority. You, as the patient, also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team. For more information, visit the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations web site.

What can consumers do to make sure they have a safer experience while managing their health? The National Patients Safety Foundation suggests these steps to help make your health care experience safer:

Become a more informed health care consumer:

• Seek information about illnesses or conditions that affect you. 
• Research options and possible treatment plans.
• Choose a doctor, clinic, pharmacy, and hospital experienced in the type of care you require.
• Ask questions of your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or benefits plan coordinator.
• Seek more than one opinion.

Keep track of your history

• Write down your medical history including any medical conditions you have, illnesses, immunizations, allergies, hospitalizations, all medications and dietary supplements you're taking, and any reactions or sensitivities you've experienced.
• Write down the names and phone numbers of your doctors, clinics, and pharmacies for quick and easy reference.

Work with your doctor and other health care professionals as a team

• Share your health history with your care team.
• Share up-to-date information about your care with everyone who's treating you.
• Make sure you understand the care and treatment you'll be receiving. Ask questions if you're not clear on your care.
• Pay attention. If something doesn't seem right, call it to the attention of your doctor or health care professional.
• Discuss any concerns about your safety with your health care team.

Involve a family member or friend in your care

• If you're not able to observe or participate fully in your care, ask a family member or friend to assist. They can accompany you on appointments or stay with you, help you ask questions, understand care instructions and suggest your preferences.
  

Follow your doctor's directions

• Be sure you receive all instructions in writing and that you read and understand them and have information explained verbally.
• Take medications exactly as prescribed.
• Use home medical equipment and supplies only as instructed.
• Report anything unusual to your doctor.

Here is more information from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on becoming an active member of your health care team.

How can you work with your doctors to get the appropriate health care? These tips from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) can help.

Prescriptions
Make sure that all of your doctors know about every medicine you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you.

When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either.

Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand-both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them.

1. What is the medicine for?
2. How am I supposed to take it, and for how long?
3. What side effects are likely?
4. What do I do if they occur?
5. Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
6. What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
7. What is the best way to measure liquid medicine?

When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed? A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or the wrong dose.

If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.

Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause.

Surgery
If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done.

When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home. This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities.

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

Make sure that someone, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems or are in a hospital.

Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you. Do not assume that everyone knows everything they need to.

Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up for you if you can't). Even if you think you don't need help now, you might need it later.

Know that "more" is not always better. It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you.

If you have a test, don't assume that no news is good news. Ask about the results.