Speak Up For Patient Safety:
How You And Your Family Can Help Us Provide The Care You Deserve

(This is the text from a booklet that Central Maine Medical Center provides to their patients.)

When you or a loved one is a patient, you can help us prevent errors and give you the safest care. We invite you to be part of the health care team and speak up for safety. Take these steps for safer care:

1. Learn all you can about your illness or condition, including medical tests and treatments planned for you.

The more you know about what to expect, the better. You can learn by asking your doctor and using the library, trusted web sites, and support groups.

Ask about any special training of the doctors treating you. Ask about the safety and quality standards of the hospital, clinic, or surgery center.

You and your doctor should agree on exactly what will be done during each step of your care. Ask for a second opinion if you want one.

2. Ask a trusted family member or friend to come to the hospital with you to help make sure you get the right care.

When you're sick or stressed, it can be hard to keep track of everything and hard to speak up. That's why it's a good idea to have someone with you. Your family member or friend can ask questions and make sure your treatment and medicines seem to be right for you.

Ask this person to help review consent forms and the care you'll need at home.

3. Pay attention to the care you're getting. Pay special attention to medicines.

Medicine mistakes are some of the most common healthcare errors. Know your regular medicines and speak up if any don't look the same. If you're given new medicines, ask about purpose and side effects. If you have allergies, questions or concerns, speak up! Pay attention that every caregiver:

• Checks your wrist band to confirm your name.
• Washes their hands before touching you.
• Introduces themselves.

If you're having surgery, ask your doctor to mark the place right on your body. That way, there's no confusion!

4. Speak up! If you don't understand anything about your care, ask again. It's your body. You have the right to know.

Your health and safety are too important NOT to speak up.

Some patients feel they don't have the right to question doctors and nurses. You DO have the right. And you have the right to keep asking until you understand.

Read all the forms you are asked to sign and make sure you understand them before you sign.

You and your health care team working together can provide the safest care.