34 Ways to Survive Your Next Trip to the Hospital

Errors in the hospital

As many as 440,000 Americans die every year from medical errors and infections contracted in the 
hospital. Combined, they are the third-
leading cause of death in the United States.

Your best defense? Take charge of your care as much as possible. Ask lots of questions, take tons of notes, and have a family member or friend there to advocate on your behalf.

“You are part of the care team,” 
says Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, former senior vice president for patient safety and quality at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. “This is your body, and you have wisdom.”

While some risks are beyond your control, these lifesaving tips will help protect against some of the biggest perils you face in the hospital. Make sure you never do these things when visiting someone in the hospital.

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