Hospitals are intended to help heal and treat patients but more mistakes are happening due to overworked and stressed medical professionals, according to Understanding Patient Safety by Robert Wachter, M.D.

In order to protect you and your family from experiencing botched operations, unnecessary procedures or incorrect drug treatments that can leave you open to infection, disability or possibly death… read these helpful tips from Health magazine.

• Insist on hand-washing for all doctors and nurses. This simple procedure can cut down on the risk of infection.
• Choose a high-tech facility or hospital. Computerized entry systems can eliminate many clerical errors regarding surgery or drug information.
• Do your homework about your hospital and the staff. Ask family and friends about their experience.

During your hospital stay, inquire about any procedures or administering of meds. Politely chatting with doctors or medical staff can keep you in the loop regarding your treatment and recovery.