Hospital Care: Patient Empowerment and Safety
They say a hospital is no place to be sick! It's true, because problems lurk in every corner. An empowered patient knows how to prepare for a hospital visit, stay safe while at the hospital, cooperate and collaborate with the medical professionals who work there, and find her best outcomes from the visit. Choose any of these topics to empower yourself.
Hospital Infection - Have you been infected during a hospital stay?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, 101,000 Americans die from hospital acquired infections like MRSA, C. Diff or VRE each year. Have you or a loved one experienced an infection? How did you know you were infected? How did the hospital take care of you? Have you been able to recover? Please share your story to help others.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, 101,000 Americans die from hospital acquired infections like MRSA, C. Diff or VRE each year. Have you or a loved one experienced an infection? How did you know you were infected? How did the hospital take care of you? Have you been able to recover? Please share your story to help others.
Medicare's Never Events Policy - How It Will Affect Your Hospital Care
October 1, 2008 saw implementation of Medicare's new never events policy. While it is intended to improve patient safety, there will be some consequences patients need to be aware of.
October 1, 2008 saw implementation of Medicare's new never events policy. While it is intended to improve patient safety, there will be some consequences patients need to be aware of.
Who's Who and New in the Hospital?
New job titles mean safety improvements for patients. Hospitalists, proceduralists and intensivists may be new names to patients, but they are improving patient care.
New job titles mean safety improvements for patients. Hospitalists, proceduralists and intensivists may be new names to patients, but they are improving patient care.
MRSA and Other Superbug Infections
MRSA, C.Diff and other superbug infections are acquired in hospitals and now in the community, too. Patients need to be aware of their origins and how to avoid them.
MRSA, C.Diff and other superbug infections are acquired in hospitals and now in the community, too. Patients need to be aware of their origins and how to avoid them.
What Is a Medical Error?
There are 28 medical errors that can occur in a hospital or medical care setting that should never happen. This is the master list of those errors from the National Quality Forum.
There are 28 medical errors that can occur in a hospital or medical care setting that should never happen. This is the master list of those errors from the National Quality Forum.
Prescription Drug Errors Take Lives
According to the Institute of Medicine, drug errors affect 1.5 million Americans each year in hospitals alone. There are steps patients can take to be sure they are receiving the right drug, in the right dosage.
According to the Institute of Medicine, drug errors affect 1.5 million Americans each year in hospitals alone. There are steps patients can take to be sure they are receiving the right drug, in the right dosage.
Emergency Room 101
Millions of people find themselves in a hospital emergency room each year. You never know when it will happen to you! Reading and understanding these emergency room tips will help make your stay in the ER shorter, and may provide you with better care.
Millions of people find themselves in a hospital emergency room each year. You never know when it will happen to you! Reading and understanding these emergency room tips will help make your stay in the ER shorter, and may provide you with better care.
Prepare for ICE: In Case of Emergency
Make sure emergency medical personnel have the information about your medical condition they need if you are hurt or injured.
Make sure emergency medical personnel have the information about your medical condition they need if you are hurt or injured.
Visit Someone in the Hospital - How to Visit Someone in the Hospital
Hospital visits can be dangerous for patients, and one safety hazard is the patient's visitors. Keep in mind these do's and don'ts for visiting your friend or loved one in the hospital to be sure he or she stays safe.
Hospital visits can be dangerous for patients, and one safety hazard is the patient's visitors. Keep in mind these do's and don'ts for visiting your friend or loved one in the hospital to be sure he or she stays safe.
Details Needed by Emergency Medical Personnel
Here's a list of details emergency personnel may need if you find yourself needing emergency care.
Here's a list of details emergency personnel may need if you find yourself needing emergency care.