Hi there, Nurse Lauren here with your Wellness Wednesday Tips! This Friday is Patient Appreciation Day, part of the week long celebration of National Health Center Week presented by The National Association of Community Health Centers (@NACHC.) For more information about #NHCW18, check out HealthcareNOW Radio’s Friday Five from last week. Today lets’ talk about what you should know and do when you are the patient.
Tip #1 – Know your medical history. Sign up for your doctor or healthcare centers electronic health files. By using this you have complete access to your medical files right on your phone or computer.
Tip #2 – Know your rights as a patient. For more details about your healthcare rights and responsibilities including federal laws, HIPAA, insurance-related bill of rights under the Affordable Care Act and Medicare rights check out the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’s index here.
Tip #3 – Ask your healthcare providers questions. If you are unsure about something, desire further information, or need clarification about something you do not understand, ASK. It is your right to ask any questions about your care.
Tip #4 – Know what medicine you are taking. Keep a list so you can inform any new healthcare providers what pills you are currently taking or ask any questions you may have about the medications.
This is Nurse Lauren, contributor of NursesNOW, signing off with your Wellness Wednesday tips! Remember that being active in your own healthcare is so important! Hopefully these tips will help you understand what you should know and do when you are the patient.
ICYMI – My other Blog posts, plus Nurses NOW Weekly Roundups and Friday Fives.
