How Can I be Involved in My Care?

UT Medical Center offers experts in a variety of specialties in order to provide the most comprehensive care for making you healthy. We take your care very seriously, and so should you. While doctors, nurses and the entire team of caregivers at the medical center work together to get you the best treatment, it still remains your responsibility to ask questions and be involved in your care. We want to make sure you understand what's happening from your inital check up through diagnosis and treament.

Here are some things you can do to become involved and be an active participant in your care.

• SPEAK UP! A program sponsored by the Joint Commission that urges patients to take an active role in preventing healthcare errors by becoming involved and informed participants on the health care team. Learn more about the Speak Up! program.
• Ask questions - Make a list of questions ahead of time, prior to your appointment, and don't be afraid to ask them. Visit AHRQ for more information.
• Take a family member or friend with you to your appointments
• Take pen and paper with you to your appointments
• Write all of your medications down and have them with you. If receiving medications, ask questions regarding medications you already are taking and speak with both your doctor and pharmacist for instructions.
• Write in a journal in between checkups and appointments so you can describe your experiences to your physician.

Here are some easy things that you can do to protect yourself and fight the spread of infection.*

1. Clean your hands….
   Use a 15 second scrub with water and soap or clean them with an alcohol-based sanitizer.
2. Expect health care providers to clean their hand or wear gloves…..
   Don’t be afraid to ask providers if they have cleaned their hands or if they should wear gloves.
3. Cover your mouth and nose…..
   When coughing or sneezing, over your mouth or nose with a tissue, the bend of your elbow or hands. Be sure and clean your hands right away.
4. If you are sick, avoid close contact with others….
   Don’t shake hands or touch others. Stay away from other people.
5. Get shots to avoid disease….
   Make sure that your vaccinations are current -- even for adults.
6. If visitors or family members are sick, ask them not to visit….
   Try to maintain contact through phone calls or e-mail. If someone does visit, please ask them to follow the same things listed above.

The staff at UT Medical Center invite you to actively partipcate in your care by asking questions and discussing concerns.