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                         January 25, 2002

KELLER CORNER

A weekly column of informative one-line tips provided by the Keller Army Community Hospital organizations. Questions regarding information that appears in this section should be directed to Mary-Patrice Ruocco at 938-4835.

...Active-duty personnel moving overseas with family members need to contact the EFMP office as soon as possible. The EFMP office must screen all family members accompanying active-duty military members on overseas assignments. Call 938-6881 for details and appointments. A delay in screening may contribute to a delay in family members traveling with sponsors.

...Medical errors can be prevented. As a patient at Keller Hospital, you have the right to receive healthcare in an environment that is dedicated to avoiding patient harm and improving patient safety.

What can you do? Be involved in your health care.

The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team. Make sure your doctors know about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking as well as any dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. Inform your doctor about any allergies and adverse reactions you have 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. When you pick up medicines from the pharmacy, ask "Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed?" If you have any questions about your medicine labels, ASK! And don’t forget to ask for information about any side effects your medicine could cause.