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Patient Safety

We can work together to maintain a safe environment. Here's how:

1. When you are being admitted to the hospital, you will have an identification band placed on your wrist. Offer to show your ID wristband to staff when they enter your room. You can expect staff to check it before giving you medications, drawing blood, or taking you for procedures. If they do not, please ask them to. If your wristband has to be removed for any reason, you can expect the staff to replace it.
    
2. If you are scheduled for surgery, you can expect staff to confirm the correct location of your surgery and mark the correct site.
    
3. You can expect nurses, physicians, and other caregivers to cleanse their hands with disinfectant soap or hand gel before and after patient contact. Feel free to ask your caregiver if they have washed their hands before providing you care.
    
4. You can expect staff to label all blood specimens at your bedside.
    
5. You can expect staff to introduce themselves and tell you what they are doing. All staff can be identified by their badge, which has their name and photo image.
    
6. Make sure your physician knows what medications you are currently taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
    
7. Alert your physicians and nurses about any allergies you may have had to medications in the past.
    
8. If you or your family notices a significant change in your condition, notify the nurse immediately. Our organization has a trained team of professionals (Rapid Response Team) ready to respond and assist the nursing staff in addressing your condition.
    
9. If you have suggestions to improve patient safety or have safety concerns, we encourage you to speak with your doctor or nurse. Additionally, you may call 447-6914 to reach the Patient Representative.