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Speak Up! Help Keep Your Health Care Safe

At Inova Health System, we consider you a partner in helping us provide the best possible care. Become a more active, involved and informed member of your health care team by:

Selecting, in partnership with your physician, a hospital or health care organization (such as Inova) that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation for established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by JCAHO (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)

Paying attention to the care you are receiving and making sure you are getting the correct treatments and medications

Educating yourself about your diagnosis, your medical tests and your treatment plan

Asking a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate

Knowing what medications you take and why you take them

Understanding what is happening to you and asking questions about anything that is unclear

Participating in all decisions about your treatment

Heres how you can help keep your health care safe:

Always identify yourself. Each time you receive any medications, treatments or procedures, identify yourself.Make sure your caregiver knows your full name and checks your armband or chart to double-check your identity.

Ask questions. Health care procedures are often complicated and difficult to understand. It you are confused or unclear about something, don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions until you have the answers you need.

Be safety conscious. If you are having surgery, ask your physician to mark the area that is to be operated on, sot here is no confusion in the operating room. If you have any safety concerns, tell your physician, a nurse or Inova staff member immediately.

Be health conscious. Please help us double check our processes to prevent the spread of infection. Ask your caregivers if they have washed their hands prior to giving you care, and encourage the use of gloves.

Know your caregivers. Ask the name and title of any Inova staff member caring for you. Ask your physicians,nurses and other caregivers about their specialized training and experience.

Know your hospital. Ask how frequently Inova performs the procedure you need or treats your type of illness, and what specialized care is provided to help you get well.

Write it down. Ask for written information you can keep about your condition, the specialized care you receive, the procedures you have and your care plan.

Understand before you sign. Be sure you understand and agree to any treatments before signing medical consent forms. Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion before deciding what is best for you.

Choose an advocate. Ask a family member or trusted friend who knows your care preferences to be with you for important medical decisions. This person can identify you,ask questions you may not think of, review medical consent forms, and convey your wishes about resuscitation and life support if necessary.

Encourage medication safety. Before taking any medication, be sure your caregiver knows you are the correct patient to receive it. Be sure you know the name and potential side effects of any medication before you take it. If it is unfamiliar,ask what it is and why you are getting it. Tell staff about any allergies you have before taking medications. If you are taking prescriptions home, be sure they are legible. If you can't read them, your pharmacist probably cant either.

Inova's mission is to provide quality care and improve the health of the diverse communities we serve.