The good news is that over the past five years there has been a greater emphasis on patient safety.
The bad news is that despite pharmaceutical consulting, medical errors still occur and in the US tens of thousands of deaths are thought to be caused by medical errors every year.
What should make us feel better is that there are things we can do to protect ourselves against errors and that involves taking control over our health care.
The most common forms of medical error come during diagnosis, surgery or over medication but they can be prevented if manufacturers use pharmaceutical consulting and government agencies make the healthcare system safer. However you should get involved with your own healthcare because these changes would take years to be adopted.
Medical practitioners around the US have begun to advise patients that the more time they invest in their own health care plan, the better they will be in the long run. It is evident that people get better results from their health care if they take an interest in it.
Below are some recommendations for how you can get involved with your own healthcare to prevent medical errors:
You should ask medical practitioners to explain your illnesses and medication in simple terms, Medical information is often difficult to decipher and interpret. Make sure your provider explains your treatment plan in detail and do not leave until you understand everything you need to know about your medicines-both when they are being prescribed and when you pick them up from the pharmacy.
Keep your health care team informed. You should tell your doctor about all the medications you take including prescription drugs, over the counter medicines and dietary supplements if applicable. If you have any allergies to medications, food or other substances you should let your doctor know so that adverse reactions between drugs and your body can be prevented. You should wear a medical ID bracelet if you have any allergies to medication or suffer from diseases like diabetes. By wearing one of these bracelets, you could be avoiding death or serious illness in a medical emergency as doctors would know what was safe for you and what was not.
Do not be afraid to question the judgement of anyone involved in the medical professional because they can and do get it wrong.