By Teresa Garrison, RN

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defines a medical error as an adverse event or near miss by a health care provider choosing an inappropriate method of care or choosing the right course of care but carrying it out incorrectly. The IOM estimates that as many as 44,000 to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as a result of medical errors. Annually, more than 7,000 deaths are related to medications.

Today’s health care system is complex and most errors occur when doctors and patients don’t communicate. The most important way to prevent errors is for you, the patient, to be an active member of the health care team. Research has shown that patients who are involved in their care get better results.

Here are some specific tips to help prevent medical errors:

1. Make sure all your doctors know about all the medications you are taking. This includes prescription, over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. Carry an up-to-date list of your medications to give to the doctor, emergency room or hospital. If you don’t have a list, bring your medicines with you in a bag.

2. Inform all your doctors about any allergies or adverse reactions to medications. This easy tip can help you avoid receiving a medicine that could be harmful.

3. Make sure you understand your medications. Ask questions so you know what the medicine is for, how to take it and is the medication safe to take with your other medications or dietary supplements. Are there any food, drink or activities you should avoid while taking a medication?

4. When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, read the label, make sure it is the medication your doctor prescribed and you understand the directions on the label.

5. Measure your medication correctly.

6. Ask for information about the side effects your medicine could cause so if something does happen, you will be prepared to report it and get help before you get worse.

7. If you are in the hospital, ask all health care workers to wash their hands before caring for you. Hand washing helps prevent the spread of infection.

8. When you are discharged from the hospital ask your doctor or nurse to explain your home care instructions. This includes when you can resume your normal activities, your medications, your follow-up appointment with your doctor and signs or problems that would require you to call your doctor.

9. If you are having surgery, make sure you and your surgeon agree on what exactly will be done.

10. Share your health information with all health professionals caring for you. Do not assume they know or have all the information they need.

At Whidbey General Hospital, we are aware of all these considerations and take positive actions to enhance the safety of our patients. First of all, medication reconciliation is practiced. This means the patient’s home medications are compared to medications ordered in the emergency department and also in the hospital if the patient is admitted. The purpose of this reconciliation is avoiding errors of omission, duplication of therapy and drug to drug or drug to disease interaction.

Whidbey General Hospital also employs an infection prevention nurse who is certified in her field of expertise. She oversees the hospital’s hand hygiene program. Hand washing and hand hygiene with hand sanitizer are measured and reported to the staff and physicians in each patient care unit.

On admission to the hospital, patients receive a Personal Patient Information Folder that contains educational information the patient receives during their stay, such as a heart healthy diet or exercise instructions. Upon discharge, instructions are given to the patient and a written copy is placed in the patient’s folder. If you or your loved one has a question about your treatment plan, the written copy is a good source of information.

Whidbey General Hospital follows The Joint Commission’s standard on Universal Protocol for surgery. The goal of this protocol is to prevent wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong person surgery.

Whidbey General Hospital is a member of the National Patient Safety Foundation and these are just a few of the ways that we “Stand Up for Patient Safety”.

Teresa Garrison RN, is director of quality and patient safety.