Government Offers Spanish-Speaking Americans Advice for Getting Better Quality Medical Care

New Information from AHRQ: September 26, 2001

The Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) today announced a free, new publication in Spanish containing advice on what the average person can do to increase his or her likelihood of receiving good quality medical care and avoid medical errors.

Mejorando la calidad de la atención médica includes a series of tips to help the reader find high-quality health plans, physicians and hospitals. It also provides practical advice that will help patients get good health care, such as informing physicians of all the medications and doses they are taking; checking labels of medicines to ensure they are what their doctor prescribed; and asking physicians questions about their care and making sure they understand the answers. AHRQ's new booklet also offers information such as how health care quality is measured and how to find out about clinical trials on new medicines and treatments.

For a free, sample copy of Mejorando la calidad de la atención médica, call the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295 or E-mail AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov. This publication is also available on the AHRQ Web site at http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/qntlitesp/.

For more information, please contact AHRQ Public Affairs, (301) 427-1364: Karen Migdail, (301) 427-1539 (KMigdail@ahrq.gov).

Internet Citation:

Government Offers Spanish-Speaking Americans Advice for Getting Better Quality Medical Care. Press Release, September 26, 2001. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2001/qntsppr.htm