Tips for safer, healthier living
from Californians for Patient Care
- Wash your hands frequently: Don’t limit your frequent hand-washing to flu season – wash them several times a day year-round. Influenza and whooping cough are year-round dangers. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your healthcare professionals to wash their hands during an office visit or consultation.
- Get recommended vaccinations: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides recommendations on vaccinations for both children and adults. Californians for Patient Care suggests you refer to these vaccination schedules and talk to your healthcare provider about getting your vaccinations up-to-date.
- If you’re sick, stay home: Schoolchildren and employees are used to hearing this suggestion, but it’s also applicable to anyone visiting someone in the hospital or nursing facility. Most patients receiving care in a hospital or nursing facility have weakened immune systems, so the last thing they need is a well-meaning, but sick friend or relative coming to visit, and potentially prolonging their stay.
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Compare hospitals and providers:
- Hospitals: If you know you will be admitted to a hospital and have time to select the facility, do some research. First, understand which hospitals are covered by your insurance. Then, ask your healthcare professional for opinions and recommendations. Finally, check to see how each hospital fares in the statewide hospital evaluation system by going online to CalHospitalCompare.org.
- If you are trying to assess which caregiver is best for you, consult with reputable research organizations that provide analyses, like Care About Your Care.
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Medications
- Take medications as prescribed: It is important to take all medications as prescribed by healthcare professionals. Doing so gives your system enough time to battle the illness you’re suffering from, but failing to do so may keep your system to further infection.
- Know your medications: Always keep an updated list of medications being taken. Having this available helps healthcare professionals avoid dangerous drug interactions and should help ensure that the correct drug is prescribed for your health condition.
- Confirm any directions your healthcare provider gives you: Physicians and other healthcare professionals give patients specific directions to provide the best chance at recovery. If you don’t understand a healthcare provider’s directions, ask for clarification and then write them down. If you can’t remember the directions when you get home, just call to confirm them.
