AHRQ Guide

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Before you go to the hospital

When you know you have to go to the doctor because you are sick, in pain, or need a routine check-up, just taking the first steps of finding a doctor can be overwhelming. The Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation can help you simplify the process. We are not interested in duplicating existing information, but we do want to make it accessible and easy for you to understand. The questions below are from the AHRQ -Questions are the Answer brochure and include some recommendations from our advisory committee and staff.

Are You choosing a Doctor/Clinician?

Ask:

Is this clinician part of my healthcare plan?
Does this clinician have the background and training I need?
Is this clinician able to work at the hospital I like?
Can I talk to this clinician and ask questions easily?
Does this clinician listen to me?
Does this clinician wash his or her hands between examining each patient?

*Suggestions from the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation

Go to www.Yelp.com and see if you can find information on certain doctors to help choose the right doctor for you.
Ask friends and family for recommendations. Personal referrals are sometimes your best bet when choosing a doctor.

Are you scheduled to have Medical testing done?

Ask:

What is the test for?
How is the test done?
Will the test hurt?
How accurate is the test?
Is this test the only way to find out that information?
What are the benefits and risks of having this test?
What do I need to do to prepare for the test?
How many times have you performed the test?
When will I get the results?
What will the results tell me?
What's the next step after the test?

*Suggestions from the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation

Where do I go to take the test?
Do I need to have someone with me to take me home?

Did you receive a diagnosis?

Ask:

What is my diagnosis?
What is the technical name of my disease or condition, and what does it mean in plain English?
What is my prognosis (outlook for the future)?
What changes will I need to make?
Is there a chance that someone else in my family might get the same condition?
Will I need special help at home for my condition?
Is there any treatment?
What are my treatment options?
How soon do I need to make a decision about treatment?
What are the benefits and risks associated with my treatment options?
Is there a clinical trial (research study) that is right for me?
Will I need any additional tests?
What organizations and resources do you recommend for support and information?

Are you considering treatment for your illness or condition?

Ask:

What are my treatment options?
What do you recommend?
Is the treatment painful?
How can the pain be controlled?
What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?
How much does this treatment cost?
Will my health insurance cover the treatment?
What are the expected results?
When will I see results from the treatment?
What are the chances the treatment will work?
Are there any side effects?
What can be done about them?
How soon do I need to make a decision about treatment?
What happens if I choose to have no treatment at all?

Did your doctor recently recommend surgery?

Ask:

Why do I need surgery?
What kind of surgery do I need?
What will you be doing?
What are the benefits and risks of having this surgery?
Have you done this surgery before?
How successful is this surgery?
Which hospital is best for this surgery?
Will the surgery hurt?
Will I need anesthesia?
How long will the surgery take?
How long will it take me to recover?
How long will I be in the hospital?
What will happen after the surgery?
How much will the surgery cost?
Will my health insurance cover the surgery?
Is there some other way to treat my condition?
What will happen if I wait or don't have this surgery?
Where can I get a second opinion?

*Suggestions from the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation

Make sure you use the Medication Log that the Louise H. Batz Hospital Awareness FundPatient Safety Foundation has offered DOWNLOAD HERE or take your own to the hospital before surgery. This will help your caregivers know the appropriate medication to you should receive.
How do they normally treat your pain during and after your surgery? It is important to note that a person in their 60’s and older do not normally need as strong a dose of pain medication as a younger person. Too strong a dose could have an adverse effect on you. Ask what the normal dose is for your age.
Do you screen for patients who might have sleep apnea or problems with pain medication that would require closer monitoring after surgery?
For a second opinion go to www.yelp.com. Ask friends and family about doctors they recommend.