This weblog is part of a collection that CDC launched to focus on the significance of affected person security by offering instructional data and easy methods to assist individuals keep knowledgeable on public security matters. Learn the weblog under, authored by Evelyn McKnight, to study extra about stopping unsafe injection practices.
Once I was recognized with breast most cancers in 2000, I by no means anticipated that going to the physician for therapy of 1 life-threatening illness would end in getting one other. Healthcare suppliers reused syringes throughout administration of my chemotherapy, which led to 99 individuals, together with me, contracting hepatitis C. I want I’d have requested my healthcare supplier questions, even when the dialog was troublesome. It might have protected so many individuals.
It is very important be an energetic accomplice in your well being care. Your life, and your loved ones’s lives, might rely upon it. It may be uncomfortable to ask onerous questions as a result of some healthcare suppliers might really feel you’re difficult their talent. Nonetheless, these essential conversations mean you can higher perceive what comes subsequent and what to do in case your plan of care wants to vary. Healthcare suppliers need what’s greatest for you. They may work with you to reply your questions, clarify what to anticipate, and collectively, you’ll be able to transfer ahead with a plan that’s the greatest for you. Asking questions and having candid discussions along with your healthcare supplier can enhance affected person security and even forestall errors that may result in an an infection, as in my case.
Matters you’ll be able to focus on along with your healthcare supplier embrace:
- Secure Injection Practices: Discuss secure injection practices [PDF – 2 pages] and ask your healthcare supplier, “Will there be a brand new needle and a brand new syringe for this process or injection?” Insist that your healthcare suppliers by no means reuse a needle or syringe on multiple affected person.
- An infection Prevention: Ask your healthcare supplier what they and the power will do to guard you and your loved ones from getting an an infection, together with these brought on by antimicrobial-resistant germs.
- If in case you have a catheter, ask each day when it may be eliminated.
- If you’re having surgical procedure, ask your supplier how they forestall surgical infections. Additionally, ask how one can put together for surgical procedure to cut back your an infection threat.
- Hand Hygiene: Remind healthcare personnel and your guests to clear their arms. Maintain your arms clear with cleaning soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Make certain everybody cleans their arms earlier than touching you.
- Latest Hospitalizations: Inform your docs when you’ve got been hospitalized in one other facility, have not too long ago obtained well being care outdoors of the US, or have not too long ago had an an infection. This data can assist your supplier decide if you happen to’re in danger for sure infections and probably cease them earlier than they begin.
As an energetic accomplice in my well being care, I’ve needed to ask questions that produced solutions that have been troublesome for me to listen to.
- What if I don’t have this surgical procedure or therapy?
- What’s my life expectancy?
- What is going to the standard of my life be?
To make one of the best selections about my well being care, I wanted to ask these questions. The solutions gave me data that helped me plan for my future and created an surroundings of teamwork between my healthcare suppliers and me.
My expertise contracting hepatitis C by means of unsafe healthcare practices led me to be an advocate for affected person security. My husband and I created the Evelyn and Thomas McKnight Household Fund for Affected person Security by means of the CDC Basis. The fund awards the McKnight Prize for Healthcare Outbreak Heroes. Its objective is to encourage and reward those that serve and shield sufferers from hurt within the context of healthcare outbreak response in the US. Nominations for the prize are accepted till February 15, 2023, and will be submitted by means of this hyperlink: https://www.tfaforms.com/4767549
To study extra about the best way to be a secure affected person, go to What You Can Do to Be a Secure Affected person.
To study extra about stopping unsafe injection practices, go to One and Solely Marketing campaign.
Dr. Evelyn McKnight is a nationally acknowledged affected person security advocate, and survivor of one of many largest viral outbreaks in American healthcare historical past.
