American Cancer Society National Cancer Institute National
Institute of Health American Dietetic Association Centers for
Disease Control Five Steps to Safer Health Care 1. Ask Questions
Speak up if you have concerns, ask questions, and expect answers
you can understand. Choose a doctor with whom you feel
comfortable to discuss your health and treatment. Take a
relative or friend with you if this will help you ask questions
and understand the answers. 2. Your Medications Keep a list of
all medicines you take. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about
all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines
such as aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamins and herbals. Be sure to
report any drug allergies you have. Additional Medication
Issues: Ask the pharmacist about side effects and what foods or
other things to avoid while taking the medication. Read the
label, including warnings. Make sure it's the medication your
doctor ordered and you know how to use it. If the medication
looks different than you expected, ask th