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You Are Here:  AHRQ Home > Consumers & Patients > Getting Safer Care

Getting Safer Care

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Preventing Errors

Read:
5 Steps to Safer Health Care
     (en español: Cinco recomendaciones para recibir una mejor atención médica)
20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors
     (en español: Veinte consejos para ayudar a evitar errores médicos)
Don't Let Medicines Cause Harm
Health IT Tools Help with Care and Costs
Helping You Avoid Return Trips to the HospitalNew!
Hospital Advisory Councils Get Patients' View on Safer Health Care
New Processes Can Help Hospitals Spot—and Stop—Drug Errors
Safety Culture Creates Better Care for Patients
Simple Steps Can Reduce Health Care-Associated Infections
Tips for Taking Medicines Safely
Where Medical Errors Occur and Steps You Can Take to Avoid Them
Listen:
Your Medicine: Be Smart. Be Safe.
     (en español: Su medicamento: Infórmese. Evite riesgos.)
Podcast Care Transitions - What You Need to Know (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast Getting Medical Tests: Ask Questions! (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast Hospital Stays: Reducing Your Risks (Podcast Download; Transcript)
PodcastPlay it Safe with Children and Medicine (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast Tips To Prevent Medical Errors (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Watch:
Video Medication Safety: Know Your Medication (00:30, Flash, 3.4 MB (Transcript)
Video Asking Questions to Get the Care You Need (2:33, 32 MB; Download Flash® Player Exit Disclaimer)
Video Asking Questions About Medical Tests (2:08, 26 MB; Download Flash® Player Exit Disclaimer)
Video What to Ask Before Surgery (2:36, 32 MB; Download Flash® Player Exit Disclaimer)
Video Tips for Taking Medicines Safely (2:31, 32 MB; Download Flash® Player Exit Disclaimer)
Video Where Medical Errors Occur and How to Avoid Them (2:39, 33 MB; Download Flash® Player Exit Disclaimer)

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Getting Quality Care

Read:
Be More Involved in Your Health Care: Tips for Patients
     (en español: Participe más en su atención médica: Consejos para pacientes)
Becoming an Involved Health Care Consumer
Big Strides, Not Small Steps, Needed to Boost Health Care Quality
Blood Thinner Pills: Using Them Safely
     (en español: Pastillas que diluyen la sangre)
Build Your Question List (Interactive)
Busting Myths About Health Care Quality
Explore Your Treatment Options
Getting Involved for Better Health Care: Interview with Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.
Health Care Quality: Take A Closer Look
Transcript)
Health Care Quality: Take A Closer Look
Hospital Compare (Web Site)
How To Complain—And Get Heard
New Initiative Urges Better Communication between Clinicians and Patients
Quick Tips—When Getting Medical Tests
Quick Tips—When Talking With Your Doctor
Recognizing High-Quality Health Care
Resources to Help You Be a Better Caregiver
Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital
Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Blood Clots
Listen:
Podcast Avoiding 'Never Events' (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast Comparing Hospitals to Get Quality Care (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast Health Care Quality—Know It When You See It (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast How to Ensure High Quality Health Care (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast Understanding Health Care Quality (Podcast Download; Transcript)

Watch:
Video Questions Are the Answer (Web Site With Videos)
Video Healthy Men (Web Site With Videos)
     (en español: Conozca las preguntas)
Video Staying Active and Healthy with Blood Thinners (Video: 10:26, 17.6 MB) (Transcript)

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Using Hospitals & Clinics

Read:
10 Patient Safety Tips for Hospitals
Hospital Advisory Councils Get Patients' View on Safer Health Care
Better Information Helps Patients When They Leave the Hospital
Do Your Homework Before You Choose A Hospital
Does Your Hospital Do A Good Job?
Hospital Compare (Web Site)
How to Make an Emergency Department Visit a Safe One
How To Use Hospital Emergency Rooms Wisely
One Step Forward on Quality Improvement, One Step Back on Access
Revealing Medical Errors Helps Chicago Hospitals Build a Safer Health System
Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital
Your Experience in the Hospital and Why it Matters
Listen:
Podcast Hospital Stays: Reducing Your Risks (Podcast Download; Transcript)
Podcast Navigating Urgent or Emergency Care (Podcast Download; Transcript)

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Spotlight
Be More Involved in Your Health Care Tips for Patients
Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Blood Clots Know when to get treatment
Watch Video: Staying Active & Healthy with
Blood Thinners
Advice for Consumers: Navigating the Health Care System
Advice from Dr. Carolyn Clancy
Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, Director, AHRQ
Helping You Avoid Return Trips to the Hospital

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Questions Are The Answer
The top 10 questions to ask your doctor.

Explore Your Treatment Options
Explore your options. Find the right treatment for you.

Healthy Men
The preventive tests every man should have.

Conozca las preguntas
Las preguntas mas importantes para hacerle a tu medico.

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