Healthcare Safety Overview

Step-by-step guidance for navigating medical visits safely and privately.

Healthcare Safety Overview

Purpose of This Overview

This page outlines practical options for planning safer contact with healthcare providers, including before, during, and after appointments.

Appointment Preparation

Options to review before you schedule or attend an appointment:

• Decide what kind of visit you need:
  • Routine care (check-up, prescriptions, ongoing conditions)
  • Injury or urgent concern
  • Mental health or stress-related symptoms
  • Sexual or reproductive health
• Consider the setting:
  • Primary care clinic
  • Urgent care clinic
  • Specialist office (e.g., OB/GYN)
  • Telehealth (phone or video), if safer than in-person
• Check privacy options:
  • Ask the clinic how they contact patients (phone, text, portal, mail)
  • Request “no voicemail” or neutral voicemail messages
  • Ask to verify who is listed as emergency contact and if that still feels safe
  • Ask if they can avoid mailing information to your home, if needed
• Plan who will know about the appointment:
  • Whether to tell the person causing harm that you have an appointment
  • Whether to describe the visit as general check-up rather than specific concern
  • Whether someone safe can be listed as the ride or contact
• Prepare a brief health summary:
  • Any recent injuries or symptoms
  • Current medications and doses
  • Allergies
  • Relevant medical history (surgeries, chronic health conditions)
• Decide what you feel comfortable sharing about relationship safety, if anything:
  • Specific injuries or symptoms only
  • General stress or feeling unsafe at home
  • Full description of relationship concerns

Transport Planning

Options for getting to and from healthcare safely:

• List possible transportation:
  • Personal car (yours or shared)
  • Public transportation (bus, train, subway)
  • Rideshare or taxi
  • Walking or biking
  • Ride from a person you trust
• Consider what looks routine or expected:
  • Choosing appointment times that fit usual schedules
  • Using typical routes and locations when possible
  • Deciding how you will explain any delays
• Plan timing:
  • Allow extra time for check-in, waiting room, and possible tests
  • Consider traffic and weather
  • Have a backup plan if the appointment runs long
• Phone and location considerations:
  • Check whether your location is shared with anyone through apps
  • Decide if you will turn off location sharing during the visit
  • Plan what you will say if asked about where you went
• Returning home:
  • Decide where you will go immediately after (home, work, other location)
  • Plan who, if anyone, you might contact after the visit
  • Consider whether you need time alone after the appointment

Safe Disclosure Choices

Options for what and how to share with healthcare providers:

• Decide your goals for disclosure:
  • Documenting injuries or patterns
  • Accessing specific care (e.g., testing, contraception, pain treatment)
  • Receiving information about local support services
  • Creating a record in case you need it later
• Choose how much detail feels safe:
  • “I am experiencing stress and conflict at home”
  • “Someone I live with is controlling or threatening”
  • “My partner has hurt me physically/emotionally/sexually”
• Plan when to speak privately:
  • Ask staff at check-in if you can talk alone without visitors in the room
  • Ask for the person who came with you to step out briefly
  • Use written notes if speaking openly does not feel safe
• Confirm confidentiality and limits:
  • Ask how your information will be recorded in the medical chart
  • Ask about any mandatory reporting laws that apply in your area
  • Ask who can access your records (e.g., through shared insurance portals)
• Use shorter statements if needed:
  • Have a one or two sentence description ready
  • Focus on how the situation affects your health or safety
  • State clearly if it is not safe for someone else to see your visit details

What Documents to Bring

Items you may choose to bring to a healthcare visit, depending on safety and access:

• Identification and insurance:
  • Photo ID (driver’s license, passport, other government ID)
  • Health insurance card, if you have one
  • Information about any public benefits related to healthcare
• Medical information:
  • List of current medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal)
  • Allergy list
  • Names and contact information for other healthcare providers
  • Summary of key medical history if it is not in the clinic’s records
• Documentation related to injuries or health impacts:
  • Previous medical records or discharge summaries, if available
  • Written timeline of symptoms or incidents affecting your health
  • Any prior test results related to your concerns
• Notes for the appointment:
  • List of questions you want to ask
  • Specific concerns you want to make sure are discussed
  • Any information you prefer to hand to the provider in writing
• Safety and privacy documents (if relevant and safe to bring):
  • Any existing protection or court orders related to contact or location
  • Information about who is allowed to receive updates about your care
  • Any written safety plan or emergency contact list

During and After the Appointment

Additional points to consider once you arrive and after you leave:

• At check-in:
  • Confirm your preferred contact method for follow-up
  • Ask if summaries or test results will appear in an online portal
  • Clarify who is listed as emergency contact and update if needed
• During the visit:
  • Let staff know if anyone in the waiting room should not be told information
  • Ask if notes about relationship harm can be documented using neutral language, if that feels safer
  • Request written instructions for medication, wound care, or follow-up care
• After the visit:
  • Store any paperwork somewhere that feels safe and accessible
  • Decide whether to delete appointment reminders or portal notifications from devices
  • Note any follow-up dates and whether they affect your transport or schedule planning

Recommended Articles

• Safety Planning Checklist
• Gathering Evidence
• Technology and Digital Safety
• Preparing to Talk to a Professional
• Home Environment Safety