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Speak Up!TM
5. EDUCATE YOURSELF:
Understand your diagnosis, treatments and tests. Be sure to ask questions about the plan of care. Bring a notepad to write any questions and notes to reference later.
experience?
Be A Participant In Your Care
We participate in the Speak Up!TM program as a part of our continued commitment to your safety. The goal of Speak Up!TM is to help patients
and their advocates become more informed and involved in their health- care. We encourage you to speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again.
In the sections titled Patient Safety, you’ll nd help for staying safe, getting information, asking the
right questions and
interacting e ectively with your doctors, nurses and hospital sta .
Ten Tips To Help You:
1. SPEAK UP!TM: Ask questions and voice concerns. It’s your body and you have a right to know. When you participate in your care, you are the center of the healthcare team–so stay involved and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
2. PAY ATTENTION: Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medicines. Be sure you understand your care plan.
3. CHECK YOUR I.D. BRACELET: When you are admitted, an I.D. bracelet (or armband) is placed on your wrist. Please check to be sure it has your correct name. Your armband will be checked before any meds, procedures or lab tests are administered.
4. CHECK I.D.s OF ALL STAFF: All employees of HOSPITAL NAME and physicians who enter your room should
introduce themselves and be wearing a PHOTO NAME BADGE. Know the people providing your care.
8. CREATE A FOLDER: To keep all your medical info, appointments, notes and medial history in one handy place that travels with you through your healthcare journey.
9. CHOOSE AFTER CARE: If you need care a er your hospital stay, be sure the facility or organization meets e Joint Commission’s quality standards.
10. ASK YOURSELF: Is there anything else that I can ask my healthcare providers to be better informed about my care? Is there anything else I can tell them that may improve my care
6. CHOOSE YOUR SUPPORT PERSON:
Pick a trusted friend or family member to communicate with the doctors and sta and ask questions you may not remember to ask.
7. UNDERSTAND YOUR MEDS– WHAT, WHY & HOW: Keep a list with you of all medicines you take, how to take them and why you take them. It is also important to list any allergies or reactions to any meds you may have.
SPEAK UP!TM & MANAGE YOUR CARE!