Partnering for Safe, High-quality Health care

Last updated: December 6, 2014

 

20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors

Ways to work with your provider and others to make the health care system safer. Also available in Spanish. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

 

20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children

Fact sheet to help parents help their children avoid medical errors. Also available in Spanish. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

 

Avoiding Drug Interactions

Things to avoid when combining drugs with food and beverages, dietary supplements, or other drugs. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

 

Be an Active Member of Your Health Care Team

Guidelines on how to play an active role in reducing the risks related to using medications. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

 

Buying and Using Medications Safely

Tips and warnings for consumers about purchasing medicines, covering online purchasing, counterfeits, and buying from outside the country. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

 

Checklist for Getting the Right Diagnosis

Information to have and questions to ask when teaming with your health care provider to diagnose an illness or condition. (National Patient Safety Foundation)

 

Five Steps to Safer Health Care

What you can do to get safer health care. Also available in Spanish. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

 

General Advice on Safe Medication Use

Guidelines on safe medication practices. (Institute for Safe Medication Practices)

 

Health Related Hoaxes and Rumors

Consumer alerts on health care hoaxes and false information. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

 

How to Create a Pill Card

This guide was designed to help users create an easy-to-use "pill card" for patients, parents, or anyone who has a hard time keeping track of their medicines. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

 

How to Make an Emergency Department Visit a Safe One

What you can do to prepare in advance for an unanticipated trip to the emergency room. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

 

MedWatch Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products

Find alerts or report information on drug and other medical product safety.(Food and Drug Administration)

 

Preventing Infection by Keeping Your Hospital Room Clean: Tips for Patients

What you can do to reduce the risk of infection transmission by keeping your hospital room as clean as possible. (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services)

 

Preventing Infections in the Hospital--What You as a Patient Can Do

Fact sheet with tips on how you can help protect yourself from infections in the hospital. (National Patient Safety Foundation)

 

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Questions to assist with communicating with your physician for better and safer care. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

 

Report a Complaint about a Health Care Organization

Form for submitting a complaint about the quality of care at a health care organization. (Joint Commission)

 

Safe Medication

Guidelines to help you use medications safely and effectively. (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)

 

Second Opinions: Know Your Rights and Options

Explains why doctor’s opinions and treatment methods may vary, why you may want to get another opinion, what your doctor may think, and what it may cost. (Patient Advocate Foundation)

 

Speak Up: Help Prevent Errors in Your Child’s Care

Advice on how you can be actively involved in your child’s health care. Individual brochures are available in English and Spanish. (Joint Commission)

 

State Medical Boards

Links to the medical boards in each state that license physicians, ensuring acceptable standards of ethics and medical practice, and reviewing complaints about physicians. (Federation of State Medical Boards)

 

© Copyright American Hospital Association Resource Center

 

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