Seattle / Care briefings
If a problem starts, get help
Deal with symptoms first. Save the records for a later report.
Get help for severe symptoms
Breathing or swallowing is difficult
Seek emergency medical help if breathing or swallowing becomes severely difficult, or if your face or tongue swells.
MedlinePlus, the US health library, describes a severe allergic reaction as fast-moving and life-threatening.
An infection may be causing a wider problem
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls sepsis a medical emergency. Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection.
Its listed signs include confusion, extreme pain, fever or shivering, and shortness of breath.
A medicine amount may have been wrong
Contact a poison centre for help with a suspected medicine error.
Keep the product name and package with you when asking for help.
Keep a record of the concern
Save the details
Keep the label, packaging, receipts, and messages. Write a plain timeline of what happened and when. Save the prescriber’s name and the pharmacy name.
Report a medicine problem
MedWatch lets patients report problems with medicines at no charge. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides this service.
A report records a concern; it does not prove the drug caused it.
Choose the Washington complaint route
Washington’s Medical Commission receives complaints concerning medical doctors and physician assistants. Complaints concerning nurses and nurse practitioners go to the nursing board.
Complaints about pharmacies or doctors with a DO medical degree go through the state Department of Health.
The Attorney General offers informal help with business complaints but cannot force a refund or serve as your lawyer.
Read with this in mind
- US health library: severe allergic reactions
Read the signs that call for emergency help.
- US health library: semaglutide information
This medicine page also gives poison-help details for an overdose.
- FDA: send a MedWatch report
Patients can report a concern; this does not replace getting care for symptoms.
- Washington: medical doctor or physician assistant complaints
Include the person’s name, the location of care, and a clear timeline.
- Washington: nursing complaints
Use the nursing board’s route for a nurse or nurse practitioner.
- Washington: health department complaints
Use this route for a pharmacy, a doctor with a DO medical degree, or someone suspected of working without a licence.
- Washington: business complaints
The complaint service asks the business to respond, but it cannot make the business change a bill or give a refund.