Patient Safety

Health information from VA, and commercial sources are available on the My HealtheVet web site to help you become informed about your health.

What can I do to help assure my care is safe?

Everyone has a role in making health care safe and your VA health care team makes your safety a priority. You, the patient, also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team. Here are some tips you can use to get involved:

• Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know.
• Your health is too important to worry about being embarrassed if you don’t understand something that any health care professional tells you.
• Don’t hesitate to tell any health care professional if you think he or she has confused you with another patient.
• Understand that more tests or medications may not always be better. Ask your Provider what a new test or medication is likely to do for you.
• Know who will be taking care of you, how long the treatment will last, and how you should feel.

Medication

• Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.
• It’s a good idea to keep a list of all of your medicines, what they do and when you must take them.
• Bring all your medications or a list of them to your next appointment. You should include any drug store medications, herbal products and dietary supplements you use. Review them with your Provider to make sure they work well and safely together.

When a new medication is prescribed

• Explain all of your medicine allergies to your Provider.
• Be sure the nurse, pharmacist or doctor explains the purpose and side effects of the medicine, as well as how to take it.

For Outpatient Appointments

• Bring a family member or friend if you need help in giving important health history to the nurses and doctors.
• If tests are done, ask when the results will be ready and how you will learn the test results.

Before Surgery

• Ask questions if you don’t understand what the procedure is.
• If you are going to have surgery, the staff may mark or ask you to mark the side of your body to be operated on with an "X" so there is no confusion in the operating room.

While in the hospital

• Make sure your nurse or doctor confirms your identity, that is, checks your wristband or asks your name, before he or she administers any medication or treatment.
• If you’ve never received a medication before – ask what it is.
• If you feel strange after receiving a new medicine – let your doctor or nurse know.
• Expect health care workers to introduce themselves when they enter your room and look for their identification badges.
• Expect that hospital staff wash their hands before giving you treatment.
• When you are ready to go home be sure you understand your home care instructions. Get a copy in writing.

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents
VA National Means Test Income Threshold | GMT Income Threshold
Viewers, Plug-Ins, & Readers | VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment Site Map

For questions about Health Care Eligibility, please visit the VA inquiry website.