Medical malpractice is often associated with high-risk procedures such as surgery, but they can occur even in the most routine of tasks. This isn’t to say they aren’t avoidable; in fact, most cases could easily have been prevented with an extra pinch of care. And while it’s the doctor doing the risky work, patients can play an active role in preventing medical errors and ensuring a safe patient-doctor relationship.
Patient involvement
A patient should consider himself part of his own healthcare team. Rather than passively receiving treatment, one should be actively involved in every decision from which tests are done to whether or not to opt for surgery. The Internet offers a wealth of medical information that can help patients stay informed and have more educated discussions with their doctors.
Information consistency
Doctors make their decisions based on what they know about their patients. It is therefore one’s responsibility to make sure the doctor knows all the relevant medical history, including previous conditions, allergies, medicines taken, and treatments received. When changing doctors, bringing all previous notes, records, and prescriptions can help keep the new doctor up to date.
Medicine verification
Since there is rarely direct contact between the doctor and the pharmacist, errors in communication are fairly common. Research from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences showed that 88% of medication-related cases involved prescribing the wrong drug or giving the wrong dose. Patients should always verify their medicines at the counter and make sure the dosage instructions are clear.
Hospital choice
A patient undergoing a delicate procedure, such as surgery, should have as much choice at possible when it comes to hospitals and practitioners. Studies show that such procedures yield better results when patients are better informed. Patients can do their own research and find out which institutions provide the best care, or insist on having the procedure done by a doctor already familiar with their condition.
Clear instructions
A good percentage of medical errors also arise from a misunderstanding of doctor’s orders. If possible, instructions should be obtained both verbally and in writing, both by the patient and the people providing care at home. Patients should read prescriptions right away and have the doctor explain any vague statements, particularly regarding administration and dosage.
This article is not intended as legal advice.
Additional legal resource: Texas Medical Malpractice Attorney Kris Barber, The Barber Law Firm. Serving clients in Dallas, Texas.