Work with your doctor and other health care professionals as a team

• Share your health history with your care team.
• Share up-to-date information about your care with everyone who's treating you.
• Make sure you understand the care and treatment you'll be receiving. Ask questions if you're not clear on your care.
• Pay attention. If something doesn't seem right, call it to the attention of your doctor or health care professional.
• Discuss any concerns about your safety with your health care team.

Keep track of your history

• Write down your medical history including any medical conditions you have, illnesses, immunizations, allergies, hospitalizations, all medications and dietary supplements you're taking, and any reactions or sensitivities you've experienced.
• Write down the names and phone numbers of your doctors, clinics, and pharmacies for quick and easy reference.

Involve a family member or friend in your care

• If you're not able to observe or participate fully in your care, ask a family member or friend to assist. They can accompany you on appointments or stay with you, help you ask questions, understand care instructions and suggest your preferences.

Follow the treatment plan agreed upon by you and your doctor

• Be sure you receive all instructions in writing and that you read and understand them. And, have information explained verbally.
• Take medications exactly as prescribed.
• Use home medical equipment and supplies only as instructed.
• Report anything unusual to your doctor.

Source: National Patient Safety Foundation® ( NPSF)

Ethics Committee

Supporting the delivery of quality Care in a humane and compassionate manner

The Ethics Committee assists patients, care givers, and families as they face complex medical decisions by providing consultation on ethical issues. The committee does not make decisions. Decisions about patient care are made by patients, the patient's representative, and the patient's physician.

The Ethics Committee is made up of a wide facet of people, which may include:

• Administration
• Physicians
• Nursing
• Education
• Socials Services
• Chaplain
• Attorney
• Community
• Dietary
• Home Care

The committee also assists in educating staff and physicians about medical ethics.

To contact the Ethics Committee, please email: DBQ_EthicsCommittee@unitypoint.org. Someone is available to talk 24-hours per day. There is no charge for an ethics consultation. This is a free service of Finley Hospital.

Quality/Risk Management

Quality/Risk Management professionals monitor the use of hospital resources to assure that patients' needs are met in a high-quality manner.  They ensure a safe environment and provide opportunities for patients to express opinions about the quality of care they receive.  A multitude of services are incorporated to help us give each patient the best possible health care.

Medical Theft Identity

We care about the confidentiality, privacy and security of your medical information. To help prevent and detect medical identity theft, you will be asked to provide identification information at the registration desk. If you have insurance, we will ask to see your insurance card. We will also ask to see a photo ID. This will enable our staff to verify your identity and match it to the proper billing account and electronic health record. We appreciate your cooperation in protecting your medical identity.

What is Medical Identity Theft?

Medical identity theft occurs when someone uses a person's name or other parts of the individual's identity--such as insurance information or Social Security Number--without the person's knowledge or consent to obtain medical services or goods. Medical identity theft can also occur when someone uses the person's identity to obtain money by falsifying claims for medical services and falsifying medical records to support those claims.

Medical identity theft can result in the inclusion of erroneous and/or fictitious medical information in the victim's existing medical records. Medical identity theft is a subset of health care fraud. But it is not just that, because the crime can also have financial and other life-consequences for patients. It isn't just a crime against the health care system. Medical identity theft is a crime that can cause great harm to its victims.

Medical identity theft typically leaves a trail of falsified information in medical records that can plague victims' medical and financial lives for years. It's a crime involving theft or abuse of identity information as well as a rime that makes individuals victims in addition to the providers and insurers who may directly bear financial losses.

Are You A Victim of Identify Theft?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also has useful tools for identity theft victims, as well as guidance to help consumers prevent identity theft; visit the FTC's web site at www.ftc.gov.