At Anna Jaques Hospital, we encourage you to be an involved patient.
One of the keys to getting the best health care is to be an active member of your health care team. This means taking part and being involved in every decision about your care.
HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?One of the keys to getting the best health care is to be an active member of your health care team. This means taking part and being involved in every decision about your care.
1. Become a More Informed Health Care Consumer
- Request information about your illness or condition.
- Understand your options and treatment plan.
- Involve a family member or trusted friend in you care.
- Tell any doctor or staff person if you feel unsafe.
- ALWAYS ask questions when you do not understand something or feel you need more information.
- Pay attention. If something doesn't seem right, call it to the attention of your doctor or nurse.
- Remind caregivers to check your identification bracelet and verify the information with you prior to any care, treatment or service.
- If you don't recognize a medication being handed to you, before accepting it, ask your caregiver what it is.
- Keep a written record of your medical history. Include all medical conditions, illnesses, immunizations, and allergies, medications including herbs, vitamins, supplements, and nonprescription meds.
- Write down the names and phone numbers of your doctor(s) and pharmacy(s). Bring this list along with your medication list to all doctor and hospital appointments.
- Be sure to request all instructions verbally and in writing that you can read and understand. Ask questions about any instructions that seem confusing or unclear.
- Take medications exactly as prescribed.
- Report anything unusual to your doctor.
- Feel comfortable reminding your caregivers and doctors to wash their hands before and after providing your care.
- Ask your family and friends to wash their hands before and after visiting with you. Purell dispensers are available outside patient rooms and in other locations throughout the hospital.
5. Become an active participant in your care.
The hospital encourages the patient and family to seek assistance from the patient's nurse if the patient's condition worsens. If you do not feel your concerns are being addressed, please notify the director or nursing supervisor. The Anna Jaques Quality Management Committee is responsible for monitoring the quality and safety of patient care. Should you have concerns about quality and patient safety related to your care please call the Safety Hotline at 978-463-1028.
When I am an inpatient, when will I see my doctor?
Your physician, or the Hospitalist service working with your physician, will be in to see you by noon the day following your admission and within two hours of your admission to the ICU. If you do see the Hospitalist, she/he works with your primary care provider to deliver personal care during your hospital stay. Throughout your hospital stay the Hospitalist will communicate regularly with your primary care provider. Once you are discharged, you will once again be in the care of your primary care physician.