Patients can work with their caregivers to prevent misunderstandings and ensure safety. Given that nearly 50 percent of American adults have difficulty reading and understanding the written health care information they receive, it is clear that more can be done to improve patient-provider communication.

These five tips can help patients, their families, and their health care providers improve safety through more effective communication:

1. Be active and speak up. Ask questions, such as "what is my main problem? What do I need to do? Why is it important to do it?" If something doesn't make sense to you, let providers know.
   
   
2. Learn as much as you can. You can help prevent medical errors by becoming an active and informed member of the health care team. This means taking part in every health care decision. Feel free to take notes and ask for information in writing.
   
   
3. Involve a trusted friend or family member. A family member or friend can help you during a medical visit. Along with comfort and support, this person can provide another set of ears and eyes. This is especially important if you are distracted by worries about your medical condition, if there is a language barrier or if you have difficulty with complex instructions.
   
   
4. Keep and maintain your own lists of important medical information. Along with a list of the names and phone numbers of your physicians and other health care providers, you also want to keep your own list of important medical information. A summary of your medical history, office visits and medication can be very helpful to have on hand. Download "My Medicine List," available free from the Minnesota Alliance of Patient Safety.
   
   
5. Wash hands. It sounds so elementary, but the more patients, family members and caregivers wash their hands, the fewer infections people get.

Source: Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety