Questions are the answer!

Patient safety is one of today’s most pressing health care challenges. Improving health care quality and reducing medical mistakes are of utmost concern to doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals.

The most important thing you can do to improve your health care is to take an active role in your care. You can enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of your health care by asking questions about your care, your diagnosis, your treatment, and any medications prescribed for you.

The answers you get may help you make better decisions, receive a higher level of care, reduce medical mistakes, and feel better about your health care.

If your doctor wrote a prescription, ASK:

• What is the name of the medicine?
• Is there a generic version of this medicine?
• What is the medicine for?
• How and when am I supposed to take it?
• How much medicine should I take?
• When will the medicine start working?
• How long do I need to take the medicine?
• Can I stop taking my medicine if I feel better?
• Can I get a refill?
• Are there any side effects?
• When should I tell someone about a side effect?
• Do I need to avoid any food, drinks, or activities?
• Does this new prescription mean I should stop taking any other medicines I’m now taking?
• Can I take vitamins with my prescription?
• What should I do if I forget to take my medicine?
• What should I do if I accidentally take more than the recommended dose?

 

The content in this newsletter is not intended to provide specific medical advice, and members should contact their physician with questions about specific conditions and/or treatment. Not all benefits mentioned in this newsletter will necessarily be available to all members. Members should review their specific plan information to find out which benefits apply to them.

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