Everyone has a role in health care safety. You, as the patient, can also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team.
Below you will find an excerpt from our brochure describing the “Speak Up” program, which is sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This initiative provides simple advice on how you, as the patient, can make your care a positive experience.
After all, research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to have better outcomes.
If you have any questions or discuss concerns, please feel free to contact our Quality office at (608) 377-8693. OR complete our online COMMENT FORM.
Speak Up
Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don’t assume anything.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.
Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established, state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by the Joint Commission.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.
QUALITY
You play a key role in making decisions about your hospital care. As an active and involved partner in your hospital care, you need information. That’s where CheckPoint comes in. Obtain reliable information about the quality and safety of care provided by us at Tomah Health along with other Wisconsin hospitals.