Preventing Medical Errors

When you visit a doctor or healthcare provider, you trust them with your well-being. You expect them to prescribe you the right treatment. But sometimes, medical errors happen in healthcare, ranging from the receptionist mispronouncing your name to more serious, even fatal mistakes. Let’s discuss how to prevent such mistakes from happening to you. 

Here’s a startling fact. A 2016 study from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that medical mistakes may be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, each year between 250,000 and 440,000 Americans may die because of medical errors. 

Examples of medical errors include but not limited to: forgetting to prescribe necessary medications or treatments, not ordering important tests when a patient has worrying symptoms, not looking at a patient’s medical chart, missing changes for preventative care, doing the right thing but doing it incorrectly, and faults in execution.

To prevent mistakes like this, a doctor and patient should work together for a more complete and accurate treatment plan. Good communication can go a long way in keeping you safe during healthcare. The first thing that a patient should do when receiving a diagnosis is to fully understand their medical condition through extensive research using trusted sources like the Center for Disease Control, National Institute of Health, and websites from reputable medical centers. Patients should always feel comfortable asking questions to their doctors. Make sure you understand your condition and the treatment plan. Know the names, dosages, and side effects of your medications. After your appointment, ask for notes and materials about your condition. 

After your first appointment and once you receive any medicine needed for your treatment, keep and maintain an updated list of your medications, including over-the-counter products, vitamins, herbal supplements, and even recreational drugs. Update the list whenever your medications change. Proper medication storage is vital, following the instructions in the medication’s pamphlet.

Medication non-compliance means not following your medication plan. This includes not filling or refilling prescriptions, skipping doses, taking extra doses, stopping medications without talking to your doctor, taking them incorrectly, or using someone else’s medication. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist with any questions about your medication dosage. 

Medication non-compliance is a very easy mistake to make, especially if you take multiple medications, have a chronic condition inhibiting your ability to either open your medication’s packaging or affecting your memory, or don’t understand the instructions due to lack of experience with taking medicine. Try using the Human Health Project’s resources. The organisation offers workshop programs and peer-to-peer support to help patients all over the world to navigate the healthcare system. 

By communicating openly with your healthcare providers and taking an active role in your care, you can help prevent medical errors and improve your health outcomes. The more you understand your treatment plan, the less likely medical errors are to occur. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to your doctor!