operate on. They will also confirm with you what a nurse if you see that your bandages are loose, wet ICU patients do better
surgery you’re having and what body part it’s on. If or dirty and make sure they are changed promptly.
when cared for by a
you have two of that part—legs, arms, hands—a doc If family or friends are under the weather ask them
critical care specialist.
or nurse will check that the correct side is being not to visit until they’re feeling better.
operated on and mark the surgery site. If your provid-
ers don’t ask you this information, speak up and give
it, even if you think they know, recommends Paul
Schyve, M.D., senior vice president for healthcare 7
Be Clear About Tests
Before you have a test, such as blood work or
a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan,
improvement at the Joint Commission. ask whether you can eat or drink anything beforehand
and if you should take your usual medications. Find
Providers should check
6
Lower Your Risk of Infection out, too, exactly what the test is for if you’re not sure.
your ID before surgery.
Healthcare-associated infections such as You can ask to see your samples (urine, blood, stool)
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus to make sure they’re properly labeled with your name
aureus) and Clostridium difficile are all too common, and another piece of personal information such as
unfortunately. They’re also one of the biggest risks your birthdate, and that they are sealed to prevent a
of going to a place where sick people are treated: mix-up with someone else’s sample or contamination
You may pick up something there that can make you of yours. Most important, don’t forget to get the
more ill. But these infections are also almost en- results from each and every test. Always ask when and
tirely preventable. “So it’s always okay to ask wheth- how you will receive your test result and if you don’t
er the doctor or nurse has washed his or her hands” hear anything, follow up with the doctor who ordered
e
s
g
before they touch you, says Pronovost. “We’re fallible the test until you get the result.
a
i
m
like everyone else.” (You too should be washing your Staying safe in the hospital is ultimately the job
e
r
hands frequently.) Doctors, nurses and other staff of all the medical pros caring for you, but commu-
p
i
t
e
d
u
/
j a
t
should wear gloves if they’re taking blood or throat nicating well and respectfully with your healthcare
k
r
c p
o
o r cultures, touching body fluids or examining your team and doing what you can to avoid medical mis-
s
t o
a
c
n
mouth, nose or private parts. If something is in- takes only makes it more likely you’ll head home
a

i
n
n
a e
e
r
serted into your skin, such as a needle or a central feeling as good as possible. tp

b

v
© © line, the area should be sterilized beforehand. Call cary barbor is a health writer living in New York City.
the patient magazine 2010 21
PT018__0FVP0_SP10FEATsafety.indd 21 2/3/10 7:52 AM
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