Understanding Your Medications and Procedures
Understanding Your Medications and ProceduresTiffany Christensen was 6-months old when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an inherited disorder thatcauses severe lung damage.By the time she reached age 12, she began a long journey of hospital stays…“So I had to learn how to ask questions. I had to learn how to gather information around themedications that were being given to me, the treatments that were being given to me and why. Butmost importantly if I had a concern I had to be willing to speak up.”By the time Tiffany was 21, she was so sick that she needed, and received, a double-lung transplant…“… which was a wonderful gift. It was amazing to be able to breathe like that. For the first time in mylife.”Now in her 40’s, Tiffany works as a patient/family advocate, public speaker and author on a mission toencourage people to take an active role in their healthcare…“Our job as activated patients is to listen to those treatment options and then figure out if they reallyalign with our values and our preferences and our goals.”“…making sure that you have as much information that you want to have… That you're sure that you'remaking the best decision for yourself ...”“…Because at the end of the day I have to live in this body and I have to decide if these are the thingsthat I want to deal with, as far as side effects, as far as long term prognosis. All of that.”Medical experts agree that by asking questions, patients can help improve their care. Here are somequestions you might ask…What is this test for?When will I get the results?Why do I need this treatment?Are there any alternatives?What are possible complications?How do you spell the name of this drug?Are there any side effects?Will this medicine interact with others I am taking?“Doctors and nurses like those kinds of questions because they learn through those questions what'son the patient's mind, what are they worried about.”“Becoming part of the team empowers you to get the best care but also the safest care.”Speaking of safe care, one of the biggest threats to patients in the hospital is HAIs, Healthcare AssociatedInfections. As a patient, you can help prevent infections by reminding everyone who comes into your hospitalroom to wash or sanitize their hands…This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER59289B EN UnderstandingYourMedicationsAndProcedures.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Understanding Your Medications and Procedures“The bacteria that we're talking about really don't care which hands they're riding on. It can be thehands of a patient, of a doctor or of a visitor. So yes, it's a good idea for everybody to wash their handsfrequently when they're in the healthcare environment.”Other things you can do to prevent infections in the hospital:If your room looks dirty, ask to have it cleaned.If a catheter has been placed into one of your veins, ask if it’s still needed.Speak up if you notice a lot of pain, redness or swelling around a catheter or around any surgical wounds.If the dressing around a catheter or any wound gets loose or wet, ask a nurse to check it.Above all else, speak up. Or, as patient and patient advocate Tiffany Christensen puts it, CUS, with one s!“I am concerned. I'm uncomfortable and I'm scared. So we're using “I” language to talk about the thingsthat we're worried about and we're making sure that we stop the line before something happens thatwe're not feeling good about.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER59289B EN UnderstandingYourMedicationsAndProcedures.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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