1 This Book Could Save Your Life

2 Right Now: Get Your Records and Read Them

3 Talking to Your Doctor: Put It in Writing

4 When the Diagnosis Is in Doubt

5 Your Best Ally: A Top Primary-Care Doctor

6 Steering Clear of Dangerous Doctors

7 Drugs: A Dose of Reality About the Prescription Drug Industry
and How You Can Safely Use Medicines

8 “Should I Be Tested?” Why Understanding the Numbers Is Crucial

9 The Second Opinion: Always Your First Choice

10 When You Need Surgery: Avoiding Dr. Not-So-Good and Finding Dr. Right

11 Making a List and Checking It Twice: The Key to Safe Surgery

12 Your Personal Advocate, in the Hospital and Out

13 The Scandal of Infections in Hospitals and Other Health-Care Facilities,
and What You Can Do

14 Looking for the Best Hospital: A Frustrating Journey with Some Hope

15 Living with Chronic Disease: Advice from Survivors

16 Auditing Your Care so You Live Longer

17 Celebrating the Heroes and Champions of Patient Safety and Quality Care

Epilogue: Dealing With Medical Injury

Acknowledgments

Resources and Further Reading

Appendix A: Twenty-eight Things That Should Never Happen in a Health-Care Facility

Appendix B: High-Risk Situations in Biopsy Diagnosis of Cancer

Appendix C: Fifteen Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Risk of a Hospital Infection