Medical Negligence Attorneys

Jacksonville, Florida

20 Ways to Prevent Medical Mistakes

When we go to a hospital or a doctor's office, we tend to assume we will be well taken care of and will leave in better condition than when we arrived. However, unfortunately, that is not always the case, and mistakes made by medical professionals can cause great harm to us, even death. Actually, medical negligence and errors are one of the United States' leading causes of death and injury. It has been estimated that just under 100,000 people die in our hospitals annually as the result of medical errors.

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Medical errors can occur in hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, surgery centers, and even pharmacies and can be caused by communication problems, uninvolved personnel, overtired staff, poor notes or handwriting, and incompetence. There are ways, however, to protect yourself from the devastation that medical malpractice and negligence often cause. The medical negligence attorneys at Hardesty Tyde Green & Ashton, P.A. offer the following suggestions to avoid being the victim of a medical mistake.

1. Take part in the decision-making regarding your medical care.
2. Be sure that all of your doctors are aware of all the medications, vitamins, supplements, etc. you are taking.
3. Tell your doctor about allergies and adverse reactions you've had to medications.
4. Read the prescription your doctor gives you.
5. Ask questions about your medication.
6. At the pharmacy, make sure you've been given your prescription and the correct medication at the correct dosage.
7. Ask questions at the pharmacy.
8. Make sure you take the correct dose, measured properly.
9. Be aware of the drug's side effects.
10. Choose, if possible, a hospital you are familiar with to have a procedure.
11. Make sure healthcare workers have washed their hands.
12. When being discharged, make sure you understand all discharge instructions.
13. If having surgery, make sure you understand the procedure fully.
14. You have the right to ask your doctor questions at any time, so please do so.
15. Make sure you trust the doctor in charge of your care.
16. Make sure the people caring for you have your complete health history.
17. Have a family member or friend with you while being treated.
18. More is not always better (medical testing, medications, etc.)
19. If you have a test performed, don't assume no news is good news. Call and get your results.
20. Research and learn about your condition, disease, or diagnosis. The more informed you are, the more you will understand your doctor's "talk" about your problem.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida, please contact the experienced attorneys at Hardesty Tyde Green & Ashton, P.A. today to schedule your initial consultation.