Health Care Quality: Take A Closer Look
By Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.
November 20, 2007
We like to think that the
quality of our health care system is the best in the world. When one of our
loved ones recovers from a life-threatening illness, we believe our doctors and
hospitals are the best at what they do.
But for all the great
results that many patients enjoy, there are too many examples where patients
don't get good health care. Sometimes the care patients receive makes their
condition worse. In the past few years, we've had to face some difficult facts
about the quality of our health care system that you, as an involved consumer,
should also know.
For example, did you know
that as many as 1.5 million medication errors occur in hospitals each year? Or
that one in five elderly patients is given medicines that may not be good for them?
This makes those of us who
care about health care quality upset because we know medical errors can be
prevented. Our health care system is becoming safer, but progress is slow
despite our best efforts. We need to work harder on putting solutions in place
that we know make health care safer.
Let me give you one more
example of how quality can vary. When you go to your doctor, you probably think
you are getting the right care for a person your age, sex, and with your medical
history. But in fact, you get the right care only half the time.
When I say "right care," I
am referring to the treatment you should receive if you are sick. Right care
also refers to treatments that can help you from getting sick in the future.
Right care can be achieved
when doctors and nurses follow the advice of the U.S. Preventive Services Task
Force. This is a group of doctors who are experts in identifying when or if you
need to be screened for various illnesses, like cancer and heart disease.
Screening tests are important because they can detect diseases when they are
easiest to treat. But if you have only a 50 percent chance of getting this
advice, the odds are not good that a disease will be found early.
So, what can you do to make
sure you and your family gets the right care at the right time?
There's plenty, but it
starts with you being an involved consumer. Ask questions at your next medical
appointment. Take the time to learn what kind of screening tests a person your
age needs. Learn about your condition if you or a loved one has received a
diagnosis, and make sure you ask questions about treatment options.
My agency, the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality, or AHRQ, has developed tools that can help you
get prepared for your next medical appointment. AHRQ's Question Builder (select for More Information) helps you get ready to talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about
tests, medications, surgery, and other issues.
You can also quickly learn
about the kinds of screening tests you should have to help find diseases early,
when they are easier to treat. AHRQ's Pocket Guide to Good Health for Adults
will also help you find out about tests and exams to find cancer and to prevent
illnesses like the flu and pneumonia.
Being involved, asking
questions, and learning more about the tests that you need to stay healthy are
all excellent ways to get the right care at the right time.
Don't wait until our health
care system has learned how to eliminate all mistakes about the care you or
your loved ones may need. The sooner you become involved, the better off you—and our health system—will be.
I'm Dr. Carolyn Clancy, and
that's my advice on how to navigate the health care system.
More Information
AHRQ Podcast
Navigating the System and How to Spot High-Quality Health Care
(Transcript) Podcast Help
Question Builder
Put together a list of questions to ask your health care provider.
http://www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer/questionBuilder.aspx
Women: Stay Healthy at Any Age
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for women's health.
http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthywom.htm
Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for men's health.
http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthymen.htm
Current as of November 2007
Internet Citation:
Health Care Quality: Take A Closer Look. Navigating the Health Care System: Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy, November 20, 2007. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc112007.htm
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