Many patients have little choice in whether they want to undergo surgery. When they are told a procedure is necessary, they trust their doctors and nurses to care for them, relying on them not to make a mistake while they are unconscious.
However, it is important not to extend this same level of courtesy while you are awake. A recent study indicated that patients who asked questions and took an active role in their treatment were less likely to suffer medication mistakes than those who kept quiet.
Here are just a few ways patients can prevent a medication mistake at Jewish hospital in KY:
- Bring in your medications. Patients who do not know all of the names of the medications they take are at serious risk of drug interactions in the hospital. Many mistakes can be avoided by simply bringing all of your medications with you to the hospital, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or vitamins and supplements.
- Ask about taking your regular medicines while admitted. Never assume that your in-patient nurses will continue to administer your regular medication. Always ask your healthcare team whether you can take your daily medications, and specifically ask if there will be any complications if you do (or do not).
- Double-check your doses. Nurses are required to check two forms of ID before administering medication. If you don’t see your nurse verify your ID, ask him what you are taking and what the drug does before accepting it.
Although hospitals are encouraged to educate patients on their medications and dosages to help prevent drug errors, some facilities still have serious flaws in their systems. If you suffered a medication error in a hospital, call the Louisville medical malpractice attorneys at Gray and White at (800) 634-8767 to get started on your FREE, one-on-one consultation.
