LEADING EDGE
GET READY—GET CARE
If you or a loved one is receiving hospital or other medical care, here are a few things
you can do to ensure you receive the best care possible:
•
Share any concerns, discomforts and fears you may have.
•
Share your health history with your health care providers so they can best
treat you.
•
Share how you are feeling—hungry, hurting, sad—even if no one has asked.
•
Share ideas for ways your care providers can make your stay better.
•
Ask why you are receiving a particular treatment or medication or why a particular
plan of care is recommended.
•
If you see something that seems wrong, let someone know.
•
Report any safety concerns you might have to your health care providers.
•
Pay attention to the care, treatments and medications that are ordered for you.
•
Educate yourself about your illness, and learn about the medical tests you’ll
be receiving.
•
Read all medical forms, and make sure you understand them before signing
anything. If you don’t understand, ask one of your health care providers for
clarification.
•
Ask a family member or friend to serve as your advocate during your treatment.
Thoroughly discuss with them the type of care you want, so they can speak on your
behalf if you become unable to do so.
•
Know the medications you take, why you are taking them and when they
should be taken.
It has created better avenues for
communication between providers
and their patients through the cre-
ation of a Patient Partner program.
This program encourages patients
to become active participants in
their treatment by including them
in decision making and by sharing
information with them so they can
make informed decisions.
W H A T W E B E L I E V E
The basic belief of the Patient Partner
program is this:
You are the center of your health
care team.
•
Be informed.
•
Ask questions.
•
Speak up.
A Patient Partner folder is given
to every patient at admission. The
folder provides ready reference
guides on topics such as patient
safety while at the hospital, patient
safety at home; medication safety;
what you need to know about
pneumococcal (fu) vaccines; keys
to a healthy lifestyle; information on
food, drug and herbal interactions;
and advance directives.
The Patient Partner program is just
one way in which Kootenai Health
ensures that every patient’s stay is
as safe as possible. Every patient has
the right and the responsibility to
be aware of the care that is needed,
understand the care that is provided
and take part in decisions about
treatment.
KOO T E NA I
H E A L T H
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