Long Beach Medical Center is an active participant in a national initiative to reduce medical errors through its participation in The Joint Commission program entitled “Speak Up!”
The goal of the campaign is to urge patients to be a part of the health care team by becoming active, involved and informed in their care. Long Beach Medical Center encourages patients to:
Speak Up if you have questions or concerns. If you still don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you get. Always make sure you're getting the right treatments and medicines by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
Educate yourself about your illness. Learn about the medical tests you get, and your treatment plan.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate (advisor or supporter).
Know what medicines you take and why you take them. Medicine errors are the most common health care mistakes.
Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has been carefully checked out. For example, The Joint Commission visits hospitals to see if they are meeting The Joint Commission's quality standards.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of health care team.
For more information about the Speak Up! program created by The Joint Commission, visit their website http://www.jointcommission.org