At Kaiser Permanente, we’re committed to providing you with high quality health care. Our goal is to keep you safe and prevent medical mistakes. Please partner with us by becoming an active participant with your medical team. You can help us in the following ways:

1. Ask questions. We encourage you to ask questions and to expect answers that you understand. Write down any questions you have for your doctor. If you don’t understand the answers, ask again - your doctor wants you to understand. It’s a good idea to ask questions before you are given a medical test, when your doctor prescribes medicine for you, and before you begin a medical treatment.

2. Know the members of your medical team. All health care professionals must wear ID badges. If a caregiver does not have an ID badge, ask them who they are and then notify a properly identified medical professional.

3. Wash your hands. Did you know that washing your hands is the best way to prevent the spread of infections? Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. You can use soap and water, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or prepackaged wipes. Our staff should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after they care for you. At any time you can ask your caregiver to wash their hands. Remember to ask your family and visitors to wash their hands as well.

4. Be patient with questions from your medical team. Different members of your medical team may ask you the same questions several times, such as your name or whether you have allergies. You will be asked your name several times during your stay. This is done so staff can be sure of your identity. It is an important aspect of patient safety. Asking these questions is one way to make sure that you are getting the right care.

5. Share information about your medications with your medical team. If you don’t understand why you are taking a medication, ask your doctor. Let your medical team know about any medications you are currently taking. You can also bring your medications instead of making a list. Make sure you understand how to take your medications. Ask about side effects and which foods, drinks, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal supplements to avoid. Ask your doctor if you should avoid certain activities. Finally, read the labels and make sure the medications the pharmacist gives you are the ones your doctor ordered.

6. Learn about your test results. Ask your doctor how and when to get your test results, and make sure you understand what the results mean. Call your doctor or nurse if you have any questions.

7. Talk about your short-term and long-term care goals. Talk to your doctor about the results you expect from your treatment or procedure. Discuss what benefits you want to get from your care. Ask your doctor if your expectations are realistic.

8. Talk about your surgery. Before surgery, your health care team members will ask your name, medical record number or birth date, what surgery you are having, and on which site of your body. Involving you in this verification process is an important patient safety practice. Discuss the surgery plan with your doctor and ask questions if you do not understand.

9. Create an advanced health care directive. An advanced health care directive is an important legal document that describes your treatment wishes. It allows you to choose someone to make decisions for you when you are unable to make them or speak for yourself. To learn more, ask your nurse or speak to a social worker.

10. Learn to care for yourself at home. Before you leave the hospital make sure you know which medications to take and how often, when your follow-up tests or appointments are, and when you can go back to your regular diet and activities. Ask your doctor or nurse if you are unsure about anything. If you do not understand the answers you receive, ask for more information. Our goal is to make sure you have all the information you need to take care of yourself at home.