The Nebraska Medical Center, believes that patient safety and high quality care are extremely important issues - ones that we take very seriously. We know that our patients feel the same way. The best approach is for us to work together to ensure that our patients receive the best quality of care in the safest environment. We are proud of our work in these areas and invite you to learn more about our program.

Thank you for selecting our hospital. We look forward to providing you with Extraordinary Care from the top health-care providers in the region. Whether you are in the hospital or at home, your medical and personal safety is a priority to us. We have many procedures and practices in place to assure your safety. Steps you can take to be an active participant in your care are
listed below.

Write down the name, strength, dose and directions for the medications you take and why you take them.

• Know what each medication does and any possible side effects.
• Know what your medication looks like and ask questions if it looks different.

Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing and your treatment plan.

• Gather information about your condition. Good sources include your doctor, the library, respected websites and support groups.
• Write down important facts your doctor tells you so you can get additional information at a later date.
• Make sure you are familiar with any equipment you will use in your home. If you will need oxygen, for example, do not smoke or allow anyone else to smoke near you while the oxygen is in use.

Communicate if you have questions or concerns.

• Your health is important. Don't worry about being embarrassed if you don't understand something that a health-care professional is telling you.

Ask about the care you are receiving.

• Make sure you are getting the right treatments and medication. Don't assume anything. Tell your doctor or nurse if something doesn't seem quite right.
• Question the caregiver if they attempt to administer any medication or perform any type of procedure (ex. lab draw) if they haven't first checked your patient ID band or asked for your name.

Remember to participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health-care team.

• You and your doctor should agree exactly on what will be done during each step of your care.
• Know about your treatments, how long the treatment will last and how you should feel during and after the treatment.
• Make sure you read and understand any form before you sign it. If you don't understand, ask your doctor or nurse for an explanation.

Enlist a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.

• Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think of
  when you are under stress. They can also remember answers
  to questions you have asked and speak up for you if you
  cannot.