Washington DC & Maryland Medical Malpractice Attorneys

How can I avoid medical mistakes?

While some bad outcomes are unavoidable, victims of medical malpractice should not suffer the catastrophic effects and consequences of conduct such as misdiagnosis, being given the wrong drugs, or having a medical instrument left inside their bodies during surgery. Educating yourself can be your best line of defense against future harm.

According to the Institute of Medicine and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, there are several steps people can take to prevent medical errors. Being an active member of your own health care team can be the single most important way you can help to prevent medical errors from happening to you. Take in every decision about your health care. Patients who are more involved with their care have a tendency to get better results.

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How to Avoid Medical Errors at the Pharmacy

• Match your prescription with the drugs and directions you are given at the pharmacy. Review with your pharmacist.
• Ask your pharmacist how to take your prescription medications correctly, what potential side effects are, and what you need to do if you suffer adverse side effects.
• Get written information about your prescription drugs.
• Make your doctor and pharmacist aware of any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to any medications.
• Make sure you can read your prescription. If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, chances are your pharmacist might not be able to read it, either.
• Ask for information about your medicines when they are prescribed and when you receive them:
  • What is the prescription medication for?
  • How do I take this medication, and for how long?
  • What are the common side effects? What do I do in case of side effects?
  • Is this prescription safe to take with other medications, vitamins, or dietary supplements I am currently taking?
  • Are there any foods, drinks, or activities that should be avoided while taking this medicine?
• When picking up your drugs from the pharmacist ask if this is the medicine that your doctor prescribed.
• For liquid medications, ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure it. Tell him/her if you're not sure how to use it.

Medical Mistakes in Outpatient Care

• Have the drug prescriber write down all relevant information about the medicine, explain its proper use, and discuss side effects associated with it.
• Ask for written material about the medications prescribed.
• Inform all of your doctors about each prescription drug, over-the-counter medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbs you are taking.
• At least once a year, bring all of your medications and supplements to your doctor to discuss them.

How to Avoid Inpatient Medical Care Errors and Injuries

• Choose a hospital at which many patients have the procedure or surgery you require.  Studies show that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals experienced with their condition(s).
• Ask your doctor or nurse about prescribed medications. Do not take any prescription drugs without being informed of their purpose and function.
• If you are unable to self-monitor your medication use, ask to have a proxy present to do so.
• Before having a surgical procedure, check if there are medications that you need to take beforehand, or medications you should not be taking before undergoing the procedure.
• If you are having an operation, make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done.
• In the hospital, ask all health care workers you have direct contact with if they have washed their hands.
• Before being discharged from a hospital or rehabilitation facility, ask for a list of all prescription drugs that you will be taking at home, and for a walk-through to be sure you understand how each one should be taken.

Other Steps You Can Take to Avoid Medical Errors

• Always voice your questions and concerns.
• Make sure that someone, your personal doctor for example, is in charge of your overall care.
• Be sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you. Do not assume they know.
• Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate.
• Understand "more" is not always better. Find out why a test or treatment is needed, and how it can help you.
• If you have a test, don't assume that no news is good news!  Make sure you ask about all of your test results.
• Learn about your condition and treatments from doctors, nurses, or by using other reliable sources.

While Nash & Associates' reputation and expertise are valuable assets, clients also value our sincere concern for their health, security, and stability.  We keep our clients constantly informed of the status of their medical malpractice claim. Someone is always a phone call away to discuss your case.

If you suspect you are a victim of medical malpractice you may have grounds for a lawsuit to recover damages.  Your medical malpractice case requires and deserves professional, competent and thorough analysis along with skillful decision making. We invite you to contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Nash & Associates to discuss your case or use our online contact form.

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