Our goal is to make your hospital experience safe. You, as the patient, have an important role in making your healthcare safe by becoming an active partner in the health care team. While mistakes do happen, we don’t want to make a mistake during your hospital care. So, we want you to speak up and take responsibility for your health care and safety.

Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know.

• Your health is important. Don’t worry about asking if you don’t understand something that your doctor, nurse or other health care professional tells you.
• Don’t be afraid to ask about safety. If you’re having surgery, for example, ask the nurse or doctor to mark the side of the body that is to be operated on, so that there’s no confusion in the operating room.
• Speak up to the nurse or doctor if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication, test or procedure.
• Speak up if you think you have been confused with another patient.

Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.

• You and your doctor should agree on exactly what will be done during each step of your care.
• Understand why tests and medications have been ordered.
• Keep copies of your medical records from previous hospitalizations and share them with your health care team. This will give them a more complete picture of your health history.

Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medications. Don’t assume anything.

• Speak up to your nurse or doctor if something doesn’t seem quite right.
• Expect health care workers to introduce themselves when they enter your room and look for their name badges. A new mother, for example, should know the person to whom she is handing her baby. If you are not sure, speak up.
• Know what time of day you normally receive a medication. If it doesn’t happen, bring this to the attention of your nurse or doctor.
• Make sure your nurse or other care provider checks your identity, that is, looks at your wristband or asks your name, before he or she gives you any medication or treatment.

Educate yourself about your condition, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.

• Gather information about your condition. Good sources include your doctor, the health library, respected websites and support groups.
• Write down important facts your doctor tells you, so that you can look for additional information later. Ask your doctor and nurse if he or she has any written information you can keep.
• Thoroughly read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign them. If you don’t understand, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them.
• Make sure you are familiar with any equipment that is being used in your care. If you will be using oxygen at home, do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke near you while oxygen is in use.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your spokes person.

•  Your spokesperson can speak up and ask questions that you may not think of while you are under stress.

Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.

• Ask about the purpose of the medication, how often you will receive it and its brand and generic names. Also ask about the side effects of the medication.
• If you do not recognize a medication, make sure that it is for you.
•  If you are given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take for the liquid to "run out." Tell the nurse if it doesn’t seem to be dripping properly (that it is too fast or too slow).
• Whenever you are going to receive a new medication, tell your doctors and nurses about any allergies you have, or negative reactions you have had to medications in the past.
• If you are taking many medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take those medications together. Speak up about all vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs you are taking because these might not react well with your prescription medications.

This health information is provided courtesy of Navapache Regional Medical Center.

Reference: Speak Up Brochure JCAHO 2002
Reviewed: Patient Safety Committee 6/02