This 8 1/2 x 11-inch flyer features illustrations of five brochures designed to help consumers become better informed and participate as partners in their own health care. The included brochures:
Five Steps To Safer Health Care—Patient safety is one of the Nation's most pressing health care challenges. This fact sheet was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association. It offers authoritative advice on obtaining safer health care, and includes tips on medicines, lab tests, and surgery. This document is also available en español.
Having Surgery? What You Need to Know—Every year, more than 15 million Americans have surgery. The questions in this brochure are designed to help you and your family understand more about your surgery, whether it has to be done right away or can be done later. It also includes some questions to ask your primary care doctor and surgeon before you have surgery. This document is also available en español.
Guide to Health Care Quality: How to Know It When You See It—Getting quality health care can help you stay healthy and recover faster when you become sick. However, we know that often people do not get high-quality care. The tips presented in this brochure are provided to help you be more active in the decisions about your health care. The goal is to make sure you receive the best possible care.
Next Steps After Your Diagnosis: Finding Information and Support—You have been given a medical diagnosis that could change your life. This brochure describes five basic steps for helping you cope with your diagnosis, make decisions, and get on with your life. This document is also available en español.
Check Your Medicines—Use this checklist to help avoid medication errors. Taking simple steps and asking the right questions could save your life! This document is also available en español.
Print copies of Be an Active Health Care Consumer are available from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse (phone: 1-800-358-9295; E-mail AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov).
Current as of November 2005
Internet Citation:
Be an Active Health Care Consumer. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. AHRQ Publication No. 06-M008, November 2005. http://www.ahrq.gov/path/beactivetxt.htm
Pathfinder: Be an Active Health Care Consumer
Consumers & Patients
AHRQ Home Page
Department of Health and Human Services