Patient Safety

Steps you can take to help prevent medical errors

Medications

• Learn to recognize your medications. If you receive medications that don't look familiar, alert your doctor or nurse. Do the same when picking up medication from the pharmacy.
• Make sure all your doctors are aware of everything you're taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs.
• Make sure your doctor and nurse know about any allergies and adverse reactions you've had to medications.
• When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.
• Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand – both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them.

Hospital stays

• Know your health care professionals. All UCSF Health employees – doctors, nurses and other staff – wear a photo identification badge while on duty. If you're not sure who someone is or what their role is, please ask.
• Make sure your caregivers wash their hands if they perform any "hands on" procedures. Evidence is overwhelming that washing your hands is the single most important thing that anyone – including your caregiver – can do to prevent the spread of infection.
• When you're being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain the treatment plan you'll follow at home.

Other important tips

• If you're having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor and your surgeon all agree clearly on exactly what will be done. Make sure you know who is in charge of your care. This is particularly important if many people are involved in your treatment or if you have multiple health problems.
• Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have the right to know about your care. We encourage you to discuss your questions and concerns with your doctor or any member of your care team.
• If you can, ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate. It's important to have someone who can help get things done and speak up for you if you can't.

To learn more, please review our Patient Safety Booklet.

Contact us

If you have safety concerns that haven't been resolved, you may contact our Patient Safety Hotline at (415) 353-8787 or Patient Relations at (415) 353-1936. If you feel your concern about patient care or safety has not been adequately addressed by UCSF Medical Center, you may contact the Office of Quality and Patient Safety of the Joint Commission (TJC) by calling (800) 994-6610. You may also contact the state Department of Health at (800) 554-0353, your health insurance company or other agencies.