Do's and Don'ts for Patient Safety

Do’s:

• Do choose a location carefully.
Beware of locations outside of a physician’s office, such as a spa,
salon or store-front in a shopping mall. These locations usually have no medical staff on-site or emergency care services
in place should something go wrong.
Also, although a medi-spa may be
owned or directed by a doctor, the
doctor may only visit the facility occasionally. Ask if the doctor is
on-site and immediately available
to supervise procedures.

• Do make sure the doctor is on site.
Most cosmetic procedures should
be performed by a physician who
is board-certified in dermatology or
another specialty with equivalent
training and experience. If the physician
is supervising the procedure, make
sure he is on-site and immediately available to respond to any questions
or problems that may occur while the procedure is being performed.

• Do check credentials. Putting people in scrubs and having medical charting on the walls make a facility appear professional, but it doesn’t make their staff qualified to perform a medical procedure.
Ask about background and training. Is the physician a member of a medical specialty organization?
This indicates a physician’s desire to keep abreast of the latest scientific data and medical information.

• Do discuss pain management options. Discomfort or minimal pain may be associated with some minor cosmetic treatments. Ask about your options. What are the benefits and risks associated with each option? Which option do you recommend and why?

Don’ts:

• Don’t ever go to someone’s home or a hotel room to have a cosmetic procedure performed.
Cosmetic procedures are medical procedures, which should not be performed in these settings.

• Don’t rely on price. If you are receiving a procedure that costs significantly less than usual,
you can assume you are not receiving the best treatment. Price should not be the determining factor.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

• What if something goes awry?
• What proced ures are in place to deal with an emergency?
• What training does the staff have?
• Who will perform the procedure?
• Is this treatment right for me?
• Is this laser, device or technique appropriate for my skin type?
• Have you performed this procedure before on the same body part I’m considering?
• May I see your before and after photographs?
• Have you reviewed my medical history?

• Don’t go through with a procedure if they can’t prove a trained physician is accessible.

• Don’t be afraid to walk away. If it doesn’t feel right, then find a more reputable location.