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Richards & Richards - Be Prepared

[GRAPHIC: RICHARDS & RICHARDS, Attorneys At Law, 412-253-2092, 866-740-3999, www.r-rlawfirm.com]
VERONICA RICHARDS: In today's healthcare environment, patients have got to be proactive. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure that you know your medical history, that you know what medications you're on. It's always a good idea to keep a list of the medications in your wallet so that when you go to the emergency room or you go to your physician, they have a complete list of the important medications that you're on.
You need to ask questions and get answers. It's not acceptable that the physicians are busy or that the nursing staff is busy. You as a patient have a right to have your questions heard and answered. You have the right to ask your doctor questions. And if you don't understand, don't feel that it's your fault you don't understand. It's the healthcare professional's job to make sure that they speak in a way that you can understand. And you have a right to know what their plan is, what the alternatives are for the treatment that they're recommending.
It's your choice to make. But you can't make an informed choice if you don't have the information. So ask.
[GRAPHIC: RICHARDS & RICHARDS, Attorneys At Law, 412-253-2092, 866-740-3999, www.r-rlawfirm.com]
VERONICA RICHARDS: I always tell clients, "Ask the questions." You have a right to know.