All of us at one time or another are likely to be hospitalized. Understandably, we expect to be taken care of and for medical personnel to do their jobs in a competent and professional manner. Unfortunately, with shocking frequency, that is often not the case.
According to Consumer Reports, more than 400,000 people a year die in American hospitals due to staff mistakes.
The best protection you can have against some of these mistakes is to have a family member or a close friend visit you frequently while you are hospitalized and do his or her best to monitor the care and attention received.
That person -- and you, if you’re able -- should verify that you are receiving appropriate medication, are protected against falling out of bed if that is a risk, and that medical personnel are faithful in following sanitary practices. For instance, does a doctor or nurse use an antibiotic lotion before touching you? (One usually doesn’t focus on this obvious fact: Hospitals are full of germs that may cause infections.)
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