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Monday, May 5, 2008

10 tips for safer health care

How do you make sure any interaction you have with the medical professional are safe, professional and in your best interests? I've blogged before about the importance of keeping a medical journal and what to do when waiting for the doctor. I came across this list of 10 tips for safer health care today:

1. Be actively involved in your own health care
2. Speak up if you have any questions or concerns
3. Learn more about your condition or treatments by asking your doctor or nurse and by using other reliable sources of information
4. Keep a list of all the medicines your are taking
5. Make sure you understand the medicines you are taking
6. Make sure you get the results of any test or procedure
7. Talk to your doctor or other health care professional about your options if you need to go into hospital
8. Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery or a procedure
9. Make sure you, your doctor and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation
10. Before you leave hospital, ask your doctor or other health care professional to explain the treatment plan you will use at home

To obtain a detailed copy of the "10 tips for Safer Health Care" phone (02) 6289 4244 or go to www.safetyandquality.org

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