Page 13 - CHI ST LUKES VINTAGE HOSPITAL PATIENT GUIDE
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Tips For Your Know What’s Next Choose Your PATIENT SAFETY
Doctor Visit Support Person
• Be sure you know if you need to
Your doctor visit is your time to schedule a follow-up visit or tests. Your Support Person is a
talk and ask questions about friend or family member that
your health. Here are some tips • If your doctor has ordered tests, you choose to support you
to help you take a more active be sure you understand why you during your hospital stay in
role in your care. need the test, what it will reveal, the following ways:
how to prepare, and what to expect
Don’t Be Afraid during the test. • Helps you keep track
To Ask Questions of questions for your
• If your doctor refers you to a doctor about medicines,
• Don’t be embarrassed to ask specialist, be sure you understand procedures, or treatments.
questions. It may help you to write what kind of specialist and why your
down all of your questions or doctor has referred you. • Keeps an eye on you for
concerns before you see your doctor. changes in your condition
• If your doctor has prescribed new and asks for help on
• Ask a trusted family member or medication, don’t leave until you your behalf.
friend to be your support person. understand what you are taking,
Your support person can help you ask how to take it, and if you should • Make sure you introduce
questions, take notes, and remember avoid alcohol or certain foods your Support Person to
any instructions. while on the new medication. your healthcare team so
that both you and your
• If you don’t understand what your • Be sure you understand any new Support Person are kept
doctor is saying, don’t be afraid to ask dietary or physical activity restrictions up to date on your care
your doctor to explain again. that relate to your care. and responsibilities.
• Ask for someone who speaks Courtesy of The Joint Commission What is a
your preferred language if you Patient Advocate?
are having difficulty. Prepare For Surgery
Patient Advocates answer
• If you have a diagnosis, be sure To put your mind at ease and to questions that can range
you understand your condition, avoid medical mistakes, make from what to expect during
the plan of treatment, medications sure you, your Support Person your hospital stay to doctor’s
and any lifestyle changes you and your surgical staff confirm instructions to procedures,
may need to make. the following: surgeries, post-operative
care to insurance and
Keep Your Doctor Informed • Your name and the type of after-care plan.
surgery you are having. Your Advocate can help you:
• Tell your doctor about all of your
prescription and over-the-counter • If you have a mediport, • When talking to your
medicines, vitamins and herbal pacemaker, insulin pump, doctor or nurses and help
supplements, how much you take or other device. you to understand your
and how often. treatments, medications,
• Your surgical team has tests or instructions.
• Tell your doctor about any pain or marked the correct body
other symptoms you are part to be operated on • Transition from the
experiencing, how long you’ve had and your surgeon knows hospital to another
them, and about any changes in you are the right person, treatment or living facility.
your appetite, sleep, or energy level. receiving the right surgery,
on the right part. • Understand billing,
Educate Yourself payment and insurance
questions.
• Learn about your condition from
the library, support groups, and on 9
trusted websites. A good place to
start is nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus.
