Prepare for Safe Care

Your care team continuously works to keep you safe. You can help by paying attention to the treatment you are receiving.

Prepare for Surgery

Ask questions like these to be sure you understand what will happen and why:

• Why is this procedure needed? Will it cure my condition or help me manage symptoms?
• Will I be given anesthesia? How might it affect me?
• What side effects should I watch out for?
• Are there any other risks I should know about?

Take Medication Safely

Before they give you any medication, your doctors and nurses should:

• Use your ID bracelet to check that your name matches the name on the medication
• Have a current list of all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal or vitamin supplements you take
• Know any allergies you have to medications, anesthesia, foods, latex, etc.

To understand your take-home medications, ask:

• What are the brand and generic names of my medication?
• Why am I taking it? How will it help? When will it start working?
• What dose should I take? How often? How long?
• What is the best time (morning, night, etc.) and way to take it (with food, with water, etc.)?
• What are possible side effects? What do I do if they happen?
• Are there any foods, drinks, or activities to avoid?
• What do I do if I miss a dose?
• Does it replace any medications I was taking before?
• Is it safe to take with all my other new and existing medications and supplements?

Pause to Check

Before your procedure, your surgeon will pause to make sure you’re the right

person, getting the right surgery, on the right body part.

Keep Track

Write down important information about your medications. Speak up if you think it’s time for your next dose. Never take medication if you don’t know what it is.