Last month marked the 10th anniversary of the landmark Institute of Medicine report "To Err is Human," which was a national realization of the number of medical errors in America. In that report, it was estimated that as many as 98,000 medical errors occurred each year in the U.S. health care system. That has been likened to a fully loaded jet airplane crashing every day without survivors.
Since that report came out, many important initiatives for patient safety have been created. Health care organizations have partnered with groups such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, The Joint Commission, the Institute of Safe Medication Practices and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to prevent medical errors and harm to patients.
One of the most important aspects is the partnership between patients and their health care providers. Through good communication and teamwork, health care organizations and patients can improve safety so that the health and well-being of all patients will be ensured.
This poses a particular risk to the aging population, as members are more likely to experience an error due to the high volume of medications prescribed to address growing health concerns, hearing and eyesight limitations and physical mobility, to name a few.
There are some things that all people can and should do to help maintain their safety and to build communication and teamwork in their partnership with their health care providers:
1) Carry a list of medications with you and share this list with all of your health care providers. Remember to update your list as medications change.
2) Ask questions and voice concerns. Speak up if you don't understand so it can be explained again. Write down questions to ask your doctor at your appointments.
3) Bring a family member or friend with you to your appointments. This person can help learn and clarify information with you.
4) Ask your health care provider to communicate with your other doctors. This will facilitate that all of your care providers have the best information available to make decisions about your care and treatment.
5) Make sure that you have a health care proxy or living will in place that clearly articulates your wishes in the event that you cannot speak for yourself. Talk with your loved ones and make sure that they know your wishes as well.
6) Wash your hands frequently and use good respiratory etiquette. Don't be afraid to ask your health care provider if he washed his hands, as well. Preventing the spread of infection is everyone's responsibility.
By following these very basic guidelines that foster teamwork and communication, we can all work together to make your health care the safest possible.
Laura Palada is the patient safety coordinator at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital.
