A Comprehensive Guide for Patients to Protect themselves from Medical Negligence
According to the Institute of Medicine, nearly 98,000 patients die annually as a result of medical negligence and error. Medical negligence is a common problem for most individuals visiting hospitals. Whether you are in hospital, or you intend to visit the hospital for some check-up, you should be equipped with some tips to help you avoid this situation.
Know your medical symptoms and conditions
To avoid medical negligence, you must always keep a record of your medical history. That involves noting down your symptoms and conditions. Apart from this, you should ensure that the medical providers and doctor keeps a record of your medical history. You also want to keep a record of all your meetings with the doctor and other medical providers.
Protect yourself
When you visit a hospital, you must always ensure you are safe. Do not rely on the healthcare providers and staff at the hospital to protect you. Some measures you can take to protect yourself include changing your sheets every day, cleaning all instruments, and ensuring all the medical providers enter your room after cleaning their hands.
Understand your prescriptions
Medical negligence results in many deaths worldwide. After receiving a prescription from your physicians, you must ensure you read and understand it. You must consult the pharmacists for clarification on what you don’t understand. Also, you can bring your prescription bottles to the hospital for the right prescription.
Learn more
The best way to avoid medical negligence is by being educated on your health and the type of medication you are getting from the hospital. Also, you must research on your medical condition, the possible medications available, and the drug combinations that you can expect. You must always beware of the medical facility you are visiting. Find out if the doctor handling your case if qualified and the hospital is well equipped to offer the right medication.
Be in the company of an advocate
You can bring an advocate when attending your medical appointments. They will help you take important notes and ensure medical provider address all your needs accordingly. If you are too sick, the advocate can speak on your behalf to the medical providers.
Final thought
Most deaths occurring in hospitals during to negligence are preventable if we are more careful when we visit hospitals to seek treatment. If you want to avoid medical negligence whenever you seek medical attention, you won’t observe some of the tips we have highlighted here.