If your child is hospitalized or has outpatient surgery, you need to be your child’s spokesperson and protector.
Each year, more than 100,000 people in this country die because of medical errors. Hospitals are working hard to improve these figures, but as a parent you also should be an advocate for your child.
Drs. Sally Robinson and Keith Bly, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) pediatricians, recently offered tips to help keep your child safe in a medical setting.
- Remember, you have the right to ask questions and question the decisions of health care workers. If you are shy or intimidated, take a friend with you who will not be afraid to speak up. If English is a problem for you, try to get interpreter. Many hospitals have interpreters on staff.
- If you have the option, choose a hospital where doctors have performed the procedure your child needs many times. Ask the doctor how many times he has performed the procedure.
- Bring a written history of your child’s health, immunizations and allergies. If your child takes medicine, bring the actual bottles to be sure the correct dosages are recorded.
- Be sure your child wears his hospital bracelet at all times. Read it carefully to be sure information is correct.
- Ask any health care worker who will touch your child if he has washed his hands in soap and water.
- Before your child has a test, be sure you know why the test is being done and when the results will be available.
- When you leave the hospital, a doctor or nurse should explain exactly how to care for your child at home. Be sure to get written instructions and a number to contact if there are problems.
Source: Galveston Daily News
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