Healthcare providers and government agencies are working together to make the healthcare system safer for everyone. There are actions you can take to help keep you safe. Your role is to be informed, empowered and prepared.
It is important to become involved in making decisions about your healthcare while working closely with your doctor and healthcare team. Think about the questions you should be asking and the things you should be looking for to make sure you are getting the safest care possible. The list below is set up for you to quickly find this information. By clicking on a topic, you can learn the basics about it and questions to consider asking. You can also visit the other helpful web sites we have listed if you want to learn more about a particular topic.
This list is a starting point for conversations with your doctor about actions you can take to protect yourself. If you are not sure about the right questions to ask, visit the AHRQ website for a list of examples to get started. Remember to speak up, ask questions and become an active partner with your doctor and healthcare team. You play an important part in making sure your healthcare is delivered safely.
Open communication with your doctor is an important element of keeping your care safe. Some government agencies have programs encouraging patients and consumers to ask questions and voice their concerns. This section highlights what information to share and how to talk with your doctor.
Hand washing is one of the most important practices to avoid getting sick or passing germs on to others. Read about when and how you should wash your hands.
A central venous catheter (central line) is a tube that doctors put into the large veins of the neck, chest, groin or arm to give fluids, blood, medications or for medical tests. This area discusses actions to prevent infections.
A catheter-associated urinary tract infection happens when germs enter the urinary tract through a urinary catheter. Read this section to learn about ways to prevent CAUTIs.
Injections of medicines or vaccines are given to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses, but if done incorrectly, they can cause infections. This section provides resources to help you learn about injection safety.
Medications are used to treat illnesses and diseases. They are usually safe when used as instructed by your doctor, but can cause problems if used at the same time as certain other medications. This section discusses what you should do to keep your doctors and healthcare team up-to-date about the medications you are taking.
Antibiotics are given for treating bacterial infections, but are not able to fight viruses. Here you can learn the differences and get smart about using antibiotics wisely.
A surgical site infection may happen after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. Most patients do not get an infection after surgery, but it is important to take steps to prevent them. This section gives you information to help prevent SSIs.
C. diff is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhea, often due to taking antibiotics. This area provides information about C. diff and what can be done to prevent C. diff infections.
Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) is a type of bacteria that commonly lives on the skin or in the nose without causing health problems. MRSA is one type of Staph that may not be killed by some antibiotics. Read about causes of MRSA and what you can do to prevent MRSA infections.
Healthcare-associated infection is a broad term that describes infections caused by different types of bacteria from treatments received in a hospital or other healthcare setting. SSIs, MRSA infections and C. Diff infections are all examples of HAIs. This section encourages you to explore methods for preventing HAIs.