Medical Error

I wrote this because a friend's grandmother passed away suddenly in a hospital many years ago and the family members suspected that it was due to medical staffs' error. Accidents like this is still happening.

Thousands of people die each year from medical errors, according to a report. When a mistake is made today, the result is that those close to the error know of the mistake, but the event is kept secret.

Left hidden, common medical mistakes — such as administering a drug incorrectly — are rarely identified quickly and studied for ways to make the health care system safer.

Today, hospitals must now tell patients and their families when they have been hurt by a medical error. Medical errors happen when something that was planned as a part of medical care doesn't work out, or when the wrong plan was used in the first place. Medical errors can occur anywhere in the health care system.

Most errors result from problems created by today's complex health care system. But errors also happen when doctors and their patients have problems communicating. For example, doctors often do not do enough to help their patients make informed decisions. Uninvolved and uninformed patients are less likely to accept the doctor's choice of treatment and less likely to do what they need to do to make the treatment work.

What you can do:

- Take part in every decision about your health care

- Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

- Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.

- When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.

- If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask.

- Ask about the side effects your medicine could cause.

- If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done.

- Speak up if you have questions or concerns.

- Make sure that someone, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care.

- Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up for you if you can't).

- Know that "more" is not always better.

- If you have a test, don't assume that no news is good news.

- Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources.

(Tips extracted from womenshealth website)