A hospital, with its highly trained staff of doctors,
nurses and therapists, ought to be one of the safest places on
Earth. But statistics indicate otherwise. A report from the National
Academy of Sciences’ Institute indicates that between 44,000
to 98,000 Americans die each year from preventable medical errors
that happen in hospitals.
Before you receive any sort of treatment or check
into a hospital for surgery, there are certain things you can do
to keep yourself from becoming part of these alarming statistics.
Some simple steps to protect yourself include:
Be an active member of your health care team and
take part in every decision about your health care.
Make sure that your doctors know every medication
that you are taking. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter
medicines and dietary supplements such as vitamins or herbs.
Watch out for drugs with similar names and then
ask what you are receiving before you take it. For example, celexa
and celebrex are often mixed up, but they serve two very different
purposes.
Speak up if you have questions or concerns. Ask
until you receive an answer that makes sense to YOU.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, medical
tests you are undergoing and your treatment plan.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your
advocate.
Ask all members of the hospital staff to wash
their hands before touching you.
It may seem awkward, but it goes a long way toward
preventing infection.
Ask doctors how many times they have performed
your surgery and what their success and mortality rates are.
Check the malpractice record of all doctors before
any operation.
Before you enter an operating room, discuss with your surgeon the
steps being taken to identify the right surgery site.
Ask to have the site marked with a permanent marker
in order to prevent wrong-site surgery.
Make sure you get results of all tests and procedures.
Ask the doctor or nurse when and how you will
get test results.
Do not sign a hospital form unless you fully understand
everything it contains.
Victims of medical
malpractice can sue for the injuries incurred and all direct
consequences of those injuries including mental and physical
pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, or other economic
damages. If you or a loved one has suffered due to Medical Malpractice
or Medical Mistakes,
please Contact The Rasansky Law
Firm to learn about your rights and
legal options regarding your Medical Malpractice Claim.
