5 Steps to Safer Health Care #1: Ask questions if you have doubts or a concern! Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers. Take a relative or friend with you to help you ask questions and understand the answers #2: Keep and bring a list of ALL the medicines you take! Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines you take, including non-prescription medicine. Read the label when you get your medicine, including all warnings. Make sure your medicine is what the Doctor ordered and know how to use it. Ask the pharmacist about your medicine if it looks different than you expected.  #3: Get the results of any test or procedure! Ask when and how you will get the results of test or procedures. Don't assume the results are fine if you do not get them when expected. Call your doctor and ask for your results. Ask wha the results mean for your care. #4: Talk to your doctor about which hospital is best for your needs! Ask your doctor about which hospital has the best care and results for your condition if you have more that one hospital to choose from. Be sure you understand the instructions you get about follow up care when you leave the hospital. #5: Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery! Ask, "Who will manage my care when I am in the hospital? Exactly what will be done? How long will it take? What happens after surgery? How long will recovery be?" Tell about any allergies, bad reactions to medications or anesthesia.