Speak Up

If you have questions or concerns, you have the right to ask and get a response from your doctor or nurse that makes sense to you. To help, share your answers to these questions with hospital staff.

• What language would you prefer to speak?
  
• Do you need glasses, hearing aids or other devices to help with talking to hospital staff?
• Do you prefer to hear, see or read health information?
  
• Do you have any cultural, ethnic or religious-based special needs?
  
• Who will be your support person who talks with hospital staff about your health care wishes?
  

Ask About Jargon: If you hear a medical term you don’t understand, ask what it means.

Teach Back: After you get instructions or an explanation, repeat back what you thought you heard so you can double-check that you understood.



Take Notes: Write down any key facts your doctor tells you so you won’t forget.