Patient Safety

Stay safe at the hospital

Preventing falls

Preventing patients from falling is important work that requires working together. You may be at risk and not know it. Simply being in an unfamiliar place can put you at risk for a fall. Your care team will work with you to make an individualized plan to keep you safe. Some medications may make you light-headed, drowsy or need to go to the bathroom more often. Remember to ask for help when you need to get up.

Patient identification

For your safety, the team will check your wristband before you get any medicine or have a procedure. You may be asked repeatedly to state your name and date of birth. Be assured we know your name and who you are. This is a safety measure to ensure the right patient is getting the right care. We thank you for your understanding.

Preventing infection

Hand washing is the best way to protect you from infection. Alcohol-based hand-cleaning foam or gel also prevents the spread of most germs. All team members and visitors should wash their hands when entering and exiting your room. If you are not sure if someone washed his or her hands before approaching you, please ask. Most germs that cause infections in hospitals come from germs that normally live on your skin, mouth and nose. While you are in the hospital, we will assist or ask you to perform daily personal hygiene, such as taking a bath and brushing your teeth, to help prevent infections.

For your safety, if you have medical equipment, like IVs and other types of tubes, you cannot go outside. If you have questions, please talk with your nurse. If you are in isolation, additional precautions such as a yellow gown, gloves and a mask may be used by team members and visitors to keep you and others safe. The sign outside your door gives directions about what everyone needs to do before coming into your room. Your nurse or doctor will explain the reason for the isolation and answer any questions you may have.

Skin care

When you are in the hospital, your skin is at risk for irritation. The care team may check your skin often. Based on your needs, your care team may talk to you about ways to prevent skin problems.

Medicines

The medicine you take here may look different from what you take at home.

• For your safety, while you are in the hospital, you should never take medicine, vitamins or supplements that you have brought from home. Medications can interact with other medications and supplements, and your care team needs to know all medications you
  are taking.
• If you are not getting the medicine you normally take at home, please let your care team know.
  When you leave the hospital, you will get a list of your medicines. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will explain how much and how often to take the medicine. It may be different than what you took before.
• Take only the medicines on the list.
• Ask the doctor about medicines you used to take.
• Any new medications you will need at home will be sent to your pharmacy. Please tell your discharge caregiver which pharmacy you prefer.
• Be sure to take the new list to your follow-up visit.
• Tell your family doctor and regular pharmacist about any new changes to your medicines as a result of your hospital stay.