One of the best ways to help ensure you have a safe and positive hospital experience is by partnering with your health care provider. At Baptist, we have designed a program to help educate you about your care and what to expect from us. Through this initiative, we encourage you to take an active role in your health care program. By being involved, you have more control of your health outcomes and recovery. 

  The single biggest thing patients and their families can do to have a positive hospital experience is ask questions. If there's something you don't understand or if you're just curious, don't be embarrassed to ask about it. Your questions can help you while in the hospital, at your physician's office or at home. 

  These tips will help you manage your medications safely:

• Bring a list of the medications, including prescribed and non-prescribed, herbal products and vitamins that you're taking prior to being admitted to the hospital. 
• After being admitted, stop taking these medications unless your provider instructs you to do otherwise. 
• Inform your caregivers of any allergies you have. 
• Always take all the medicines prescribed for you.

  While you're in the hospital, your physician may prescribe more than one medication for you. To help ensure you're receiving the appropriate medication, ask the following questions and record the answers so you can remember them:

• What are the names of the medications I'm taking?
• Why am I taking this medication?
• What times will I be receiving a particular medication?
• Can I see what my medications look like?
• May I have a summary list of my discharge medications?

  Here are some other tips you can follow for safe medication use in the hospital and at home.

• Get your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy.
• Tell your physician and pharmacist all the medicines you take, including things you buy "over-the-counter," such as aspirin, antacids, ibuprofen, vitamins, or herbal products.
• Make sure you know how to take your medicine; for example, are you to chew a tablet or swallow it whole, take with or without food, etc.
• Measure your liquid medicines with an accurate dosing spoon, not a regular kitchen spoon, to make sure you're getting the correct amount.
• Take your medications at the same time every day so you're more likely to remember to take them.
• Check with your pharmacist on how to store your medicines; some need to be stored at room temperature in a dry place while others need to be kept in the refrigerator.
• If you realize you forgot to take your medication, you should take it when you remember if it has not been more than four to six hours since you forgot it. If it is almost time for your next dose, just take your next dose. Do not double up on medications. If you have any questions about missed doses, call and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Make sure you can read the handwriting on prescriptions your doctor writes.

  Remember that you, your physician and the hospital staff have the same goal — improving your health and comfort. If for any reason you feel you aren't receiving the best care possible, talk to the nurse in charge or the hospital's patient relations representative. Know your rights. As a patient, you are entitled to safe and quality care, and Baptist is committed to that.