1. Patient Safety
We're committed to your safety and we participate in Partnership for Patients, Team STEPPS, National Patient Safety Goals and other safety initiatives. We monitor potential risks with an early-warning patient safety reporting system. The single most important thing you can do is to be an active member of your health care team.
Speak Up
•Pay attention. If something doesn't seem right, alert your health care team.
•Ask questions anytime you don't understand or need more information.
Know Your Medicines
•Know what medicines you take. Make sure your doctors know too.
•If you take more than three medicines, you should keep a current medications list in your purse of wallet.
Know Your Test Results
•If you've had a test (like a Pap or blood test), don't assume “no news is good news.” Call and ask.
Involve a Family Member or Friend
•If you'd like someone to be your advocate, ask a family member or friend. They can come with you when you get care, ask questions and write down instructions.
Surgery
•Make sure that you, your doctor, the nurses and staff all agree on: your name and birth date, what procedure is being done, and where on your body the procedure is being performed.
Your Hospital Stay
•Ask everyone who comes into your room to sanitize or wash their hands, if you don't see them do it.
•Expect staff to introduce themselves. You can also check their identification badges.
•Make sure that staff confirm your identity—by asking you your name and birth date and checking your wrist band—when they come into your room.
•Even if your doctor has given you permission to get out of bed, let staff know if you need help. A fall can undo what you and your health care team have worked hard to accomplish.
•Before you go home, ask your doctor or nurse to explain how to care for yourself at home.