Take Charge of Your Medical Care 

Even with the great health care available through modern medicine, it's no fun going to the hospital for surgery. 

Many people experience nervousness and anxiety. And, while medical errors are not typical, they do occur. A report by the Institute of Medicine has identified medical errors as a serious problem in the health care system.

In response, the General Assembly enacted the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error ("MCARE") Act. The MCARE Act was designed to ensure access to doctors, reduce costly litigation and strengthen physician reporting requirements.  It also requires implementation of comprehensive new patient safety measures.

Among those measures was creation of the independent Patient Safety Authority. Members include physicians, nurses, a pharmacists and attorneys. The panel's job is to reduce and eliminate medical errors by identifying problems and recommending solutions that promote patient safety in hospitals and other health care facilities.

MCARE requires more than 460 registered Pennsylvania health care facilities to report "serious events" and "incidents" (near errors) to the Authority. Based on the reports, the Authority issues quarterly Patient Safety Advisories to help hospitals reduce and prevent patient harm.

It's important to remember that we, as health care consumers, can play a key role in ensuring safe medical care. The authority has also compiled some helpful tips that patients can use to improve safety. It's called the "SPEAK UP" campaign.

• SPEAK UP if you have questions or concerns about your healthcare and, if you don’t understand, ask again.  It's your body and you have a right to know.
• PAY ATTENTION to the care you are receiving.  Make sure you're getting the appropriate treatments and medications from the appropriate healthcare professionals.  Don't assume anything.
• EDUCATE yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
• ASK a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
• KNOW what medications you take and why you take them.  Medication errors are the most common healthcare mistakes.
• USE a hospital, clinic, surgery center or other type of facility that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by the state Department of Health or outside accrediting organizations like the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
• PARTICIPATE in all decisions about your treatment.  You are the center of the healthcare team.

For more information, look for "Tips for Consumers" at the Patient Safety Authority web site, Patient Safety Authority web site.

It's easy to become intimidated in a medical setting, but an open dialogue with your doctors and nurses can go a long way in relieving anxiety. We all need to remember to eat right and get our exercise to help stay out of the operating room. But, when medical care is required, please remember to SPEAK UP.

As always, if you have any questions on this or any other state government matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office directly at (814) 453-2515.