Speak Up About Your Care

You play a vital role in making your health care safe. We encourage you to “speak up” whenever you have a question and ask your health care providers about the services you are receiving. Research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to have better outcomes. Here’s some advice on how you, as a patient, can make your care a positive experience:

• Speak up if you have questions or concerns. If you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know.
• Pay attention to the care you get. Always make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medicines by the right health care providers. Don’t assume anything.
• Educate yourself about your illness. Learn about the medical tests you get, and your treatment plan.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate. Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think about when you are stressed.
• Know what medicines you take and why you take them. Medicine errors are the most common health care mistakes.
• Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has been carefully checked out.
• Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.