Blog Post, December 2014

ASKME!, Five Steps to Safer Health Care, 122414

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     This past Monday me and mom were at her cardiologists office for a follow up on moms recent hospital admission, where we meet with Dr. McGregor, 7-8 times over the course of three days.  In that time we were able to explain that I was moms caregiver, the various online sites we’re involved (www.PickYourPain.org, RobertsSister.com, Caregiving.com, Intake.me and many more) with and how new information is always welcomed.  In one of these meetings we were talking about insurances and how the patient is having to push more and more to receive various medications, treatments, etc.  At one of the meeting Dr. McGregor came into the room and handed me the following flyer (entered word for word below) as well as another one on In-Home Oxygen use which I will talk about in another post here soon.  Today’s flyer is provided by TriCare Insurance:

ASKME!

“A physician’s Guide to the Five Steps to Safer Health Care”

The Five Steps to Safer Health Care were created to provide patients with

specific actions they can take to be more responsible for their own health care.

Using the Five Steps with your patients at every office visit demonstrates

your commitment to your patients patient’s safety.

STEP 1:          Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns. 

  • Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers.                                        Question Mark Icon

  • Choose a doctor with whom you feel comfortable talking with.

  • Take a relative or friend with you to help you to help you ask questions and understand the answers.

STEP 2:          Keep and bring a list of “ALL” the medicines you take.

  • Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medications that you take, including non-prescription  medications.

  • Tell them about any drug allergies you have.

  • Ask about side effects and what to avoid while taking the medicine.

  • Read the label when you get your medicine, including all warnings.

  • Make sure your medicine is what the doctor ordered and know how to use it.

  • Ask the pharmacist about your medicine if it looks different than you expected.

STEP 3:          Get the results of any test or procedure.

  • Ask the doctor or nurse when and how you will get the results of test or procedures.  If you do not get then when expected — in person, or on the phone, or in the mail — don’t assume the results are fine.  Call your doctor and ask for them.  Ask what the results mean for your care.

STEP 4:          Talk to your doctor about which hospital is best for your health needs.

  • If you have more than one hospital to choose from ask your health care professional which one has the best care and results for your condition.  Hospitals do a good job of treating a variety of conditions.  Check with your doctor and hospital to learn more about their experience performing a particular procedure and what their results were.  At discharge be sure to ask about follow up care.  Be sure you understand the instructions.

STEP 5: Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery.

  • Make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation.

  • Ask your doctor, “Who will manage my care when I am in the hospital.

  • Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses about any allergies, bad reactions to anesthesia and any medications you are taking.

TRICARE Contact Information

http://www.tricare.osd.mil

1-888-363-2273  Office

1-877-535-6778  (TTY/TDD)

     Here’s hoping that in posting this information, that at least one person finds it and is able to use it to better their understand, use of or contact with their insurance and/or doctor.  Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas,

Richard K.

http://www.PickYourPain.org

PickYourPain@att.net

AUTHORS BIO:    Richard is a trifecta caregiver, along with his wife he cares for himself, with Chronic Back Pain which he’s had for 21 years.  He cares for his brother in-law, Robert who has dealt with Epilepsy his entire life   now lives with Richard and his wife.  He also advocates for his mother who has various cardiac related issues, severe hearing loss and other medical issues.  You can read about his experiences with chronic pain and how he deals with his mothers and brother in-law’s issues on PickYourPain.org or at Caregiving.com.  He is also involved in several of Caregiving.com’s support groups and chat rooms, he is co-host of an internet based radio show about caregiving. Richard is also a patient adviser, board member for Intake.me which is working to improve the intake process at medical facilities.  Richard has three adult children who despite them having to deal with his medical issues growing up, he says, “They turned out better than I’d hoped for.”IMG_0230