When you head to a hospital, you expect to get medical help so that you can get better. Unfortunately for many patients, emergency room malpractice in Hollywood as well as other forms of negligence can lead to hospital caused injury, infection, and complications. If you need to visit a hospital, you will want to take these precautions to prevent injury:
1) Check hospital scores.
The Leapfrog Group has released its ratings of Florida hospitals and 24 facilities in the South Florida area have gotten an “A” grade for infection prevention and safety. 44 hospitals in the region were grades and only one got a “D” ranking, while 14 got a “B” and 5 were awarded a “C.” The hospitals were graded for safety, accident and injury prevention, and prevention of infection. The last Leapfrog Group report, in the Spring, gave only 22 area hospitals an “A” grade, so the rankings are good news for South Florida. While hospital scores do not ensure a good experience for patients, they can help patients make informed decisions about where to seek medical help.
2) Choose the right medical option when you need medical help.
The hospital or emergency room are not always the best options if you are ill. If you have a potentially serious injury or illness, the emergency department may be your best option. However, if it can wait visiting a clinic or your doctor can be a better choice because clinics may be less busy and therefore may allow for more time with physicians.
3) Write it down.
Write down the information you need to tell the doctor – including information about symptoms and any current medical conditions or allergies you have as well as a list of medications (prescription and over the counter) that you are taking. When you head to the hospital, you may be overwhelmed with information and forget to include important details. For the same reason, you will want to write down or ask for a print-out of any treatment recommendations, diagnosis, or other information the doctor gives you.
4) Bring a friend.
If you are headed to the emergency room, especially, bring a friend or family member who can offer support and act as a health advocate for you if you are too injured or too ill to speak for yourself. A friend can add their questions, can help you communicate with doctors, and can take charge of the information you are given.
5) Speak up.
Patients sometimes feel intimidated speaking up when they see health care professionals making mistakes. Whether you notice someone not washing their hands before dealing with your wounds or notice your doctor prescribing something you are allergic to, speak up.
6) If you have an option, time your visit carefully.
If you have been in a car accident in Hollywood or have suffered some other type of emergency, you will need to visit the emergency room immediately. If there is no rush, however, you may want to time your visit to the hospital carefully. Keep in mind that weekends and evenings mean less staff, so visiting when there are plenty of health care professionals can mean you can enjoy the care you deserve.
If you have been injured while visiting a hospital or clinic, you do have rights. Contact Flaxman Law Group for a consultation to discuss those rights and the next steps you can take to protect yourself legally. Your initial consultation with our law firm comes with no obligation and no cost.