Fact Medical errors are one of the Nation's leading causes of death and injury. A recent report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 44,000 to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. This means that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS.

What Can You Do? Be Involved in Your Health Care

1. The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team.

   That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Below are some specific tips, based on the latest scientific evidence about what works best, to follow.

2. Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

   At least once a year, bring all of your medicines and supplements with you to your doctor. "Brown bagging" your medicines can help you and your doctor talk about them and find out if there are any problems. It can also help your doctor keep your records up to date, which can help you get better quality care.

3. Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.

   This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you.

4. When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.

   If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either.

5. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand—both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them.

   • What is the medicine for?
   • How am I supposed to take it, and for how long?
   • What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?
   • Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
   • What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?

6. When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy:

   • If it is a new prescription ask that the pharmacist, not the clerk, review the directions and what the drug is used for with you
   • If it is a refill and anything has changed (color or pill shape, directions) ask the pharmcist, not the clerk, to review the changes with you

   A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or the wrong dose.

7. If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask.

   Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.

8. Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you're not sure how to use it.

   Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices, like marked syringes, help people to measure the right dose. Being told how to use the devices helps even more.

9. Ask, at the pharmacy, for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause.

   A study found that written information about medicines can help patients recognize problem side effects and then give that information to their doctor or pharmacist.

10. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.

    This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities. Research shows that at discharge time, doctors think their patients understand more than they really do about what they should or should not do when they return home.