Patient Safety: What You Can Do Before, During and After Care

Medical care saves lives, but errors and preventable harm still happen. You can cut your risk with simple steps. These are practical, easy things patients and carers can do right now—whether you're at a local clinic, a big hospital, or caring for someone at home.

Before you go to the hospital

Prepare a short health file: list current medicines (with doses), allergies, past surgeries, chronic conditions and emergency contacts. Bring original medicine bottles if possible. Ask for written instructions from your GP—date them and keep them with you.

Ask clear questions: Why do I need this test or treatment? What are the risks and alternatives? What happens if I wait or say no? If it’s a major procedure, get a second opinion when you can. Make sure you understand and sign consent forms only after your questions are answered.

Plan logistics: know how to get home after treatment, who will help you with medicines, and where to reach your clinician if something changes. If language is a barrier, bring someone who can translate or request an interpreter ahead of time.

In the hospital and at home: simple safety steps

Speak up early and often. Tell staff loudly and plainly if something feels wrong—new pain, fever, confusion, or wrong medication. Ask staff to wash or sanitize hands before touching you. If they don’t, remind them. It’s okay to ask staff to confirm your name and birth date before tests or procedures—that prevents the wrong treatment.

Medication safety matters. Keep a single, up-to-date list and check every new prescription against it. Ask: what’s the medicine for, how much, how often, and for how long? Learn common side effects and what to do if they appear. If tablets look different from what you expect, don’t take them—ask a nurse or pharmacist.

Watch for infection risks. If you have a catheter, IV or wound, check that dressings are clean and dry. Ask when a catheter or drain can be removed—longer use raises infection risk. Limit visitors if you’re vulnerable and ask visitors to wash hands before touching you.

Before surgery, confirm the correct site is marked. Ask about anesthesia risks and pain control plans. After discharge, get clear instructions for wound care, medicines, follow-up dates, and who to call for problems. Get written instructions you can take home.

If something goes wrong, document it: dates, times, names of staff, and what happened. Keep copies of test results and bills. You can file complaints with the facility or health regulator; knowing the facts helps investigations.

Africa Daily Spectrum covers health stories and patient issues across the continent. Real cases—like reports of prolonged illness or hospital stays—remind us why being prepared matters. Use this tag page to find articles, hospital guides and local updates that relate to patient safety where you live.

Small steps add up: ask questions, keep records, check medicines, and demand clean hands. Those actions reduce harm and give you more control over care.