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By Greg Cieslewicz
Up to 98,000 people die in the United States each year due to preventable medical errors. One reason given for these deaths is the complexity of our health care system. While the system is complex, the role patients can play in improving health care safety is rather simple.
Ask questions!
“When patients are involved in their health care decisions and ask questions about their health care, they are helping themselves get the safest, best quality care,” said Dr. Wendy Adams, Medical Director for the WEA Trust.
It’s Safe to Ask
To help people become more involved in their health care, the WEA Trust has started the “It’s Safe to Ask” campaign. The campaign includes a dedicated section on our Web site, weatrust.com. The Web section provides links to helpful online resources and printer-friendly
versions of checklists detailing what questions to ask your providers in various situations, such as an office visit or a
hospital stay, or when you receive a new prescription.
Whether or not you have a Trust health plan, you can access the Web site to learn more.
Preventing mistakes
Hospitals and other health care providers have made safety strides since a 1999 Institute of Medicine report said 44,000 to 98,000 patients die in U.S. hospitals each year due to preventable mistakes. However, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association cited little statistical improvement five years later.
For you and your family, the best way to receive quality and safe care is to be actively involved in your health care decisions. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results.
“A good physician encourages patients to talk about their health concerns, to ask questions, and to feel comfortable with their treatment plans,” Adams said.
Information on the products and services that Member Benefits offers to public school employees can be found online at www.weabenefits.com.
Posted February 27, 2008