Is Your Doctor Getting You Sick?

Here are some basic tips for avoiding potentially harmful or serious complications resulting from treatment in the emergency room.

1. Notice the small stuff. Did your nurse or doctor clean his or her hands before touching you? Are the syringes and needles being unwrapped from packaging?  Noticing seemingly minute details such as these could mean the difference between a straightforward visit and a possible hospital-born infection or other illness.

2. You are entitled to know the rate of infection at a hospital where you are getting surgery. This information is readily available when going through the pre-admission process.

3.  Seek care where you feel comfortable and confident.  This can include researching the hospitals in your area, verifying that staff members are board-certified and that facilities are properly prepared for emergency care.