As a patient, there are many things you can do to help ensure your safety at the hospital, doctor’s office and pharmacy. Dr. Leigh Hamby, chief medical officer for Piedmont Healthcare, discusses an interesting concept – the patient as part of the healthcare team.
According to Leigh Hamby, M.D., Piedmont Healthcare’s chief medical officer, patients play a huge role in the healthcare process. “We (the healthcare team) know it is our job to make -- and keep -- patients well. We also know it is important for patients to realize they are not just a passive participant. This care is about them and for them and they play a huge role in making sure that care goes as well as possible.”
The most important thing a patient or family member can do to be an effective member of the healthcare team, Dr. Hamby says, is to “speak up, ask questions and don’t assume anything. If someone is bringing you a medication, ask about that medication. If you are about to have a procedure, make sure you understand the procedure. There may be things during the procedure that you can do to make sure it goes well.”
One of Dr. Hamby’s top recommendations is for the patient to wash his or her hands and instruct family members and healthcare providers to do the same. In addition to hand washing, he recommends patients stay informed about their medications. Keep not only a list of medications you take, but also know the dosage and how often you take the medication. “If you are in the hospital, doctor’s office or pharmacy and they give you a pill that you don’t recognize, ask about it.”
There are certain rules to follow when it comes to antibiotics as well. “Take the antibiotics exactly the way they were prescribed and complete the full course. Even though you may feel better after a couple of days, a bacterial infection may come back if you don’t complete the course of antibiotics,” Dr. Hamby says. “Secondly, don’t share antibiotics with others. It may not be the right medicine for them and in fact, taking antibiotics when you don’t need them may cause problems fighting infections in the future.”
The most important things patients can do to ensure safety as part of the healthcare team is, “get in the game, play your role, ask questions and don’t proceed in the face of uncertainty when it comes to your care.”
Dr. Hamby provides some great advice. There are many things you can do to ensure good healthcare. The main takeaway? Do not be afraid to participate in the process – speak up if you have a question or concern.
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