In today's healthcare system, patients and their loved ones must share the responsibility for ensuring that they receive safe medical care. Every healthcare system demands critical review and vigilance at every step, especially as a patient. The Empowered Patient focuses on current healthcare safety issues including infection, medical error, second opinions, informed consent, and misdiagnoses. The book provides hundreds of easy-to-follow action steps to keep the public safe and protected. Readers will learn where the risks are, what to look for when assessing quality and safety, and what to ask for - and how to say it - with confidence and authority.