Dangerous Hospitals

a) Have a friend or family member stay with you (especially at night and on weekends or holidays), be your advocate to help with asking questions, and help you keep a journal of your hospitalization.
b) If you are having scheduled surgery, arrange it for well-staffed times (hospital staffing can be skimpy on weekends or around holidays) and ask your surgeon to test you for MRSA several weeks prior to surgery.
c) Make sure that someone, such as your primary care doctor, coordinates your care across all physicians.
d) Read the Consumer Reports hospital survival guidefor additional tips.

a) Up to 440,000 people die following a medical error or infection in the hospital.
b) Only 55 percent of us get recommended preventive care.
c) Only 56 percent of chronic illnesses are treated in accordance with practice guidelines.