HealthyLife Articles

Category: Medical Care

Patient Safety

Medical Care

Although estimates vary, as many as 251,000 people a year die in U.S. hospitals due to medical errors, also called Preventable Adverse Events (PAEs).

Take an active role in every decision about your health care. If needed, have a family member or friend oversee your care.

“Wrong-site” surgery includes operating on the wrong person, the wrong organ, or the wrong limb.

Before you are taken into surgery, make sure the surgery is the one scheduled for you. Mark the body part to be operated on, too. Use the marker, etc. the doctor gives you to do this.

Find out about patient safety from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement atihi.organd the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality atahrq.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save On Eye Care

Medical Care

“See” what you can do to get free or low cost vision care.

Get a list of state and national resources for free and low-cost aid fromwww.nei.nih.gov/health/financialaid.asp.

Eyeing eye care.

It costs less to have an eye exam from an optometrist than an ophthalmologist. An optometrist (O.D.) is trained and licensed to examine eyes, prescribe lenses, and detect vision problems. Ophthalmologists are M.D.s. They can do everything optometrists do. They can also do surgery and prescribe medicines.

Experience counts.

If you are thinking about having surgery, etc. to correct your vision, find an eye surgeon who has a good record and approved equipment for the type of surgery you want to have. Ask your current eye doctor to recommend an eye surgeon. Don’t just use ads and low prices as your only factors in choosing an eye surgeon. It could cost you more in the long run.

Get it in writing.

When you get an exam for eyeglasses or contact lenses, get a copy of the prescription. Use it to get prices from different retail places, pharmacies, mail-order companies, and online sites.

Check for coupons and discounts.

Some retailers offer discounts, “buy one, get one free,” etc. You may also be able to get a discount on eyeglasses, etc. through membership with your auto insurance company, credit card program, and/or warehouse stores.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Importance Of An Emergency Room Companion

Medical Care

Should you require treatment in an emergency room, ask a relative or a friend to accompany you to serve as your “clear head.” He or she can keep track of what procedures are being done and what kind of treatment you’re getting, and speak on your behalf if treatment seems too slow in coming.

Having a reassuring companion nearby can also help reduce the stress of an emergency room visit. Your companion should also know about any medications that you are currently taking. Try to bring these medications with you. Most important, your companion can take you home if any medicine given would preclude you from driving.

After you are treated, your companion should help you find out:

* What follow-up care is necessary?

* What is the name of the emergency room doctor who treated you?

* Are there special considerations for the next 24 to 48 hours?

* Should your private physician be notified?

* Do you have a prescription that must be filled immediately?

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Planning For Health Care Coverage

Medical Care

Medical costs are expensive. Whether you are in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or older, now is the time to review how you cover them. Now is the time, too, to plan for how they will be paid for in the future. Without health insurance, some persons could lose all their assets if they had to pay for medical expenses.

Like life insurance, health insurance can be hard to understand. Don’t let it baffle you, though. Find out what you need to know to protect yourself and your assets. Don’t find out you have too little coverage when it’s too late. Use the “Health Insurance Checklist” to keep track of your health care coverage.

If you are a Veteran, find out about Veterans health care from

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save On Hospital Services

Medical Care

Hunt for hospital quality.

Choose a hospital that has a good success record with the kind of surgery you need. You are less likely to die or have serious problems if the hospital does the surgery a lot. What is “a lot”? Some experts say the hospital should do a surgery at least 200 times a year. If the surgery you need is rare, that may not be possible. Ask about the hospital’s experience with surgeries like yours. Talk to your doctor, the hospital administrator, or the hospital’s chief of staff.

Avoid hospital germs.

Five to 10% of all hospital patients will get an infection they did not have before they were in the hospital. To protect yourself:

* Be well-rested and well fed before you go to the hospital.

* Check that persons who give you care wash or sanitize their hands.

* If a roommate gets pneumonia, ask to have your room changed.

Control consults.

You could get a hospital bill for a doctor visit that you didn’t even know about. To avoid this, try to make sure your doctor knows that you or someone acting for you must approve a consult with another doctor. If you can, ask your insurance company if the cost of the consult is covered in part or in full.

Keep track of hospital services.

Keep a list of services you get. Compare the list to your hospital bill. Have a friend or relative make the list if you can’t. Also, ask for an itemized bill and check it. Some common things to note are:

* Doctor visits. X-rays. Tests.

* Medicines (pills, shots, IVs).

* Giving blood samples.

* Consults and services with specialists.

* Anesthesia. Surgery. Receiving blood.

* Room charges. Telephone and TV charges.

You stay, you pay.

Find out when hospital check out time is and make plans to follow it. If not, you may be charged for an extra day.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026