About your child's diagnosis, tests, and treatment plan.
Ask a family member or friend to be an advocate for your child.
Advocates can ask questions you may not think of while you're under stress and can help remember answers to questions you've asked.
Know the medications your child takes and why.
Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes, and all can be prevented. Here's how:
- Give your child's doctor a list of his or her current medicines, vitamins, herbs and supplements.
- Whenever your child gets a new medicine, ask how it will help; about side effects; and if it's safe to take with other medicines, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbs. Remind your doctor about allergies or reactions your child has had to other medicines.
- Ask for written information about medicines your child is taking.
At the Hospital and Clinic
At the Physician's Office and Pharmacy
Use a health care organization that has been carefully checked out. For example, the Joint Commission visits hospitals to see if they are meeting quality standards.
Participate in all decisions about your child's treatment.
- You and your physician should agree on exactly what will be done during each step of your child's care.
- Know who will be caring for your child, how long the treatment will last and how your child should feel.
- Seek a second opinion if you are unsure about the nature of your child's illness and the best treatment. The more information you have about options available to you, the more comfortable you will be.
- Keep copies of your medical records and share them with your health care team. This will give them a more complete picture of your child's health history.