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Your Health Care: Be Involved

We are all committed to ensuring your care is as safe as possible. But we can't do it without your help.
Here are some tips that can help you be a part of your safety team at the hospital:

Speak up if you have any questions or concerns about your care

  • Ask questions to get the information you need to make the best decision for your care.
  • Ask questions to help you prepare for your medical treatment.
  • Ask questions so you know what to do when you go home.
  • Ask questions about your medicine, and how to take it.
  • Write down any questions you have, so you don't forget to ask.
  • Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask any questions.

Write down your answers as you are talking with your health care provider so that you can review them later. Ask a family member or friend to come with you when you talk to your health care team. It is easy to be overwhelmed by a lot of information and your family member or friend can help you ask important questions.

If you need an interpreter, ask for one in advance, or bring someone who can interpret for you.

Tell a member of your health care team about your past illnesses and your current health condition.

Tell your health care team everything you can, even if you think they already know, and even if you think it is not important. This includes your ongoing illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease, whether you have seen another doctor or gone somewhere else for health care, any surgery or recent visits to the hospital, and any medications that you are taking.

Bring all of your medicines with you when you go to the hospital or to a medical appointment.

Some medicines combine with each other in your body and can produce bad reactions. To protect you, make sure that your health care team knows about everything that you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, natural and herbal products and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

When you go to the hospital or to a medical appointment, it is helpful if you put all of your medicines in a bag and take them with you. If you cannot bring the medicines with you, bring an up-to-date list of your medications.

Tell your health care team if you have ever had an allergic or bad reaction to any medicine, food or latex.

This includes reactions to any medications, including drugs used during surgery and medications used before receiving certain x-ray procedures.

In the hospital, you can help ensure your safety

  • Cleaning your hands is the best way to fight the spread of infection. Cleanyour hands frequently. It is a good idea to ask everyone - your healthcare team and visitors - to clean their hands. Guidelines are posted in the hospital or you may ask your health care team for assistance.
  • Request that visitors do not bring you food.
  • Ask sick visitors to refrain from visiting while you are in the hospital.
  • Ask every person to identify themselves when they come into your room.
  • Before you go in for a procedure, tell the health care provider your name, ask to make sure you are the patient they are expecting and that they are doing the correct procedure.
  • Before you receive any medication, make sure the health care provider checks your hospital ID bracelet. If you receive medication in an outpatient setting, make sure your health care provider checks your full name and address.
  • Ask questions about medications that you are about to receive, such as the name and what it is used for. If it doesn't look like what you usually take, ask why.

Make sure you know what to do when you go home from the hospital or from your medical appointment.

Before you go home, ask as many questions as you can to make sure you understand:

  • What treatment you received
  • Whether you will need a prescription filled
  • What symptoms to watch for and who to call if something does not feel right
  • What medicine you must take, how to take it and any side effects
  • What foods you should eat and not eat
  • When you can go back to normal activities, such as work, school, exercise and driving
  • What follow-up appointments you will need and who will make them.

Your health care team promises to work with you and welcomes your questions and participation.


Adapted from the OHA Patient Safety Support Service brochure "Your Health Care Be Involved". Prepared by the Patient Safety Service.