If you're booked into hospital and don't want to come out with a skin rash, a bag of the wrong drugs, and someone else's heart in your chest, follow these tips:
Ask your doctor to send you a hospital with a good reputation for that type of operation or treatment. (There are no statistics available to enable you to compare one hospital with another, but your doctor may have some experiences with particular hospitals.)
In hospital, ask health workers if they've washed their hands before touching you. It’s an important way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals.
If you’re having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests its members sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery.
Find out as much as you can about your condition and treatments as you can. If you have questions or issues, speak up. Tell all the health professionals involved in your care everything you can about your health. Tell the surgeon, anaesthetist, and nurses if you have allergies or have ever had a bad reaction to anaesthesia. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about the medicines that you take, including over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements like vitamins and herbs.
If you're not good at demanding things, get a family member or friend to be there as your advocate.
More info at http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/s1635777.htm
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