Health & Wellness

The human cost of medical errors is high. In fact, more people die of these mistakes each year than from highway accidents, breast cancer or AIDS.

Take charge of your personal safety to prevent medical errors. Take a look at our resources. They can help.

Aetna Pharmacy website 
Errors with prescription medications are common. Everyone is looking for ways to stop these mistakes. You can help. Learn about the risks and how to avoid them. Read about your specific medications. And find out if you are at risk for harmful drug interactions.

Aetna Navigator^® Hospital Comparison Tool 
Compare hospitals based on:

• procedure
• condition
• diagnosis

This easy tool creates a report on hospitals in your area.

MedQuery^®  
This program works behind the scenes. It reviews your medical information and then alerts your doctor to possible opportunities to improve your care.

Patient safety tips 
Print out our Patient Safety Tips  (PDF). Take it with you when you visit your doctor. It offers practical advice to help you have a positive health care experience.

Additional safety resources 
The following groups provide patient safety information:

• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations: patient safety tips on their SpeakUp website 
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: information on many health-related topics
• Commission on Cancer: information on programs approved through their review process
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: educational materials on medication safety
• Leapfrog Group: information on health care quality to help people compare hospitals
• National Patient Safety Foundation: information on safety for patients and their families
• Safe Care Campaign: information on how to participate in your care