Hospitals are generally considered to be safe places. At the same time, that doesn’t mean there still aren’t any risks or dangers to look out for. Each year, 1.4 million people are seriously injured in hospitals and 180,000 die partly because of medical harm.
Here are a few tips that may help you avoid becoming another statistic:
• Bring a friend or loved one. Bringing someone along while you visit the hospital is a careful move. The individual can help with the monitoring of your care and make sure your needs are tended to. In addition, this person can hold onto copies of important documents, ask questions, record answers and if any problems arise, advocate for you.
• Infection Prevention. Make sure that anyone who comes in contact with you washes their hands. Every day ask if ventilators and catheters are still necessary. The risk of getting an infection increases when they are left in place for over 2-3 days.
• Check your drugs. Compile a list of all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines that you take. Also include any vitamins, herbs, minerals or dietary supplements. Take to the hospital multiple copies of your drug list so doctors and pharmacists can check for duplicates or interactions with any medication you start taking in your stay.
• Stay active as possible. Moving around can help with preventing bedsores and blood clots that can form in your leg veins. In addition, it helps to get your bowels moving. Don’t hesitate to ask your nurse or a loved one for help getting out of bed (it’s better for your safety). In the event that you do have to spend a significant amount of time in bed, ask for special pads that help you avoid getting bedsores. You can also ask for “pneumatic” stockings that may help with blood clot prevention.
• Check for hospital ratings. Conduct your own research and see what others are saying about the hospital. You should be looking for how attentive the staff is with patients, communication, cleanliness; rates of infection, rate of serious complications and mortality, just to name a few.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.
