What to write down in the first week
Memory fades quickly, and a short note made now can matter later. This is what we ask families to keep.
The first week after something goes wrong is a blur. People tell us later that they wish they had written it down, and they ask what to do. The answer is small and plain.
What to record
- The date and time of each conversation with a doctor or nurse
- What you were told, in the words you remember
- Names or descriptions of the people you spoke to
- New symptoms, and when each began
- Medications given, as best you know them
- Questions you meant to ask
What to keep
Keep discharge papers, bills, medication bottles and any printed instructions. Photograph anything you cannot keep. Do not edit the chart or ask anyone to change it.
What to leave to us
You do not need to work out what went wrong, or who was responsible. That is what the records and a physician’s review are for. Your job, for now, is to look after yourself and your family.
One more thing
Be careful what you post. Messages and photos online can be read later by people you never meant to see them. This guide is general information, not legal advice.