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Take Charge of Your Care Prepare for Safe Care
Your care team continuously monitors your healthcare to prevent medical errors. You can help them keep you safe by paying attention to the treatment you are receiving. Prepare for Surgery When you find out you will need a procedure, ask questions like these to be sure you understand what will happen and why: Why is this procedure needed? Will it cure my condition or help me manage symptoms?_____________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Will I be given anesthesia? How might it affect me? What side effects should I watch out for?_________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Are there any other risks I should know about?_ _______________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Take Medication Safely Before they give you any medication, your doctors and nurses should: Use your ID bracelet to check that your name matches the name on the medication Have a current list of all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal or vitamin supplements you take Know any allergies you have to medications, anesthesia, foods, latex, etc. It’s also important for you to understand your take-home medications. For every new medication, ask: What are the brand and generic names of my medication? Why am I taking it? How will it help? When will it start working? What dose should I take? How often? How long? What is the best time (morning, night, etc.) and way to take it (with food, with water, etc.)? What are possible side effects? What do I do if they happen? Are there any foods, drinks, or activities to avoid? What do I do if I miss a dose? Does it replace any medications I was taking before coming to the hospital? Is it safe to take with all my other new and existing medications and supplements?
Pause to Check Before your procedure, your surgeon will pause to make sure you’re the right person, getting the right surgery, on the right body part.
Keep Track Write down important information about your medications. Speak up if you think it’s time for your next dose. Never take medication if you don’t know what it is. } Use the Medication Tracker on p. 31.
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