So Ro and I watch Opera on occasion. Some trash but usually entertaining and often informative. On the show we are watching now, Dr. Oz, her physician consult who is always good. The show was on medical mistakes and Dr. Oz had some great ideas about how we as patients can help.

• Avoid Infection:
• Ask people to wash their hands before touching you.
• Keep hand sanitizer by your bed, ask all health care givers use it
• Try to avoid bacteria-promoting items, like flowers and jewelry.
• Ask doctors to clean their stethoscopes. Clean television remotes.
• Ask a male doctor to remove his tie, or else tuck it into his shirt. Bow ties are ideal.

• Prevent Hospital Mistakes:
• avoid wrong-site surgery by marking your body -- both "cut here" and "don't cut here" marks
• avoid chit-chat, don't distract care workers from their job
• find a high tech hospital
• ask if hospital follows care checklist protocols
• make sure sure hospital is accredited
• make friends with your primary care giver in hospital (hospitalist)
• be a smart patient

• Be A Smart Patient:
• make them check wristband when they come to do a procedure, ask questions
• know why everything is being done to you
• know what medicines you take
• carry up-to-date list of medicines