Stay Safe During Surgery: Here’s What You Can Do to Help Prevent Medical Malpractice

Surgery or other medical procedures of any kind can be incredibly nerve-racking. Though, as a patient, you’re working with medical professionals, human error is always possible. There can be many causes for error or factors that come into play. Your safety is the number one priority when it comes to having a medical procedure, and communication is crucial in order to help ensure that safety is met. Consider these 6 tips for helping ensure your own safety during surgery and prevent medical malpractice.

  1. Make Sure Your Doctors Know What Medicines You’re Taking

First and foremost, it’s so important that all of your doctors are made aware of any medications you’re taking. Not only should your doctors know about prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs you’re taking, but also any vitamins or other supplements you take. Feel free to bring these into doctor’s visits so they can see exactly what you’re taking.

  1. Tell Your Doctor About Any Allergies

This is imperative! If you have allergies of any kind or you know you’re allergic to some medications, let your doctor know immediately. Otherwise, they could prescribe something for you that could potentially harm you.

  1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions – Have a Full Understanding of the Procedure

As physicians, your doctors should know the importance of communication and bedside manner when it comes to your care. They want you to understand the procedure fully before anything is done. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask. Your doctors expect you to have questions!

  1. Understand and Write Down Your At-Home Treatment Regimen

After your procedure, write down exactly what needs to be done at home each day. If you need to have your doctor go over it with you more than once, have them do that. It’s so important that you know what to do after you leave the hospital. This will help ensure that you’re healing the proper way.

  1. Ask a Family Member or Friend to Go to Appointments With You

This is incredibly helpful when talking over your procedure or what the treatment will be like after. It’s a great idea to have a second set of eyes and ears so that if you forget anything, you’ll be able to ask your family member or friend. Having someone else by your side leaves less room for error when it comes to agreeing on a procedure and understanding what will be done.

  1. Ask Your Pharmacist About Possible Side Effects of Prescriptions You May Be Given

Know what to expect from the medications you’re prescribed before or after your surgery. Ask your doctor what you might experience, but also ask your pharmacist. If you’re taking more medications than one, is there anything you might be able to expect that you might not experience if taking just one prescription at a time?

 

About admin

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *