SAFETY TIPS for PATIENTS
For Your Safety …..

Patients play a role 

Everyone at Dryden Regional Health Centre is committed to providing the best care we can in a safe manner.  We work together as a team and you are an important member of that health care team.

Being an active and knowledgeable member of your health care team will help to ensure your experience is as safe as possible.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things do not go as planned, or actually go wrong.  In health care these are called “adverse events” and they can affect how quickly a patient gets well or even cause them harm.

Dryden Regional Health Centre has a Patient Safety program in place to identify risks to our patients and then act on them to improve the quality of care in our facilities. 

We encourage you to take an active role in helping to prevent these events too.

Our health care providers are open to your questions and concerns about your care to help avoid adverse events.

Three Big Risks to Safety
Studies in hospitals across the country have shown that three of the most common risks for patients are medicines, falls and infections.

You can help lower your risk by following these suggestions:

Medicines:

• Know what medicines (name, strength, and how often) you are on and why (include any non-prescription medicines like Tylenol, vitamin supplements or herbal products.)

• Make a list of your medications and make sure it is up to date. Make any changes that occur after visits to your doctor or the hospital. Keep the list with you - with your health card is a good location.

• Make sure that you and your caregivers are clear about what medications you take. Tell your nurse and doctor what medications you are taking, including all pills, liquids, puffers, patches, eye or ear drops, creams, ointments and oral contraceptives.

• It is very important to also tell them what ‘over the counter’ medications and remedies and herbal products you may be using.

• Make sure your health care provider identifies you correctly before giving you any medicine.

• Make sure you tell your health care provider about any allergies or bad reactions to medicines you may have had. You will be asked about any allergies to medications frequently.

• Ask what the medicine is and what it is used for each time you are given medications in the hospital.

• Ask questions if the medicine looks different than what you were taking at home or from what they have been giving you in hospital.

• Ask for a list of all the medicines you are supposed to be on at discharge. Please make sure that your list is explained to you or a family member, and that you understand the information you are given.

• When you pick up the prescribed medication, make sure that it is the right medication and dose.

• Always ask your Pharmacist for information about any new medication.

• Talk to your health care provider about any questions or concerns with your medicines (how to know if it is working, how long you will be on it, any side effects.)

• Please call us if you have any questions about your medications after your discharge.

Infection: Don’t pass it on!

• Proper handwashing is the best way to prevent infections. 

• Make sure you, your family members, and visitors all wash hands before entering and leaving your room.

• Ask your health care providers if they have washed their hands before providing your care.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a Kleenex when coughing or sneezing and dispose of it in the garbage then immediately wash your hands.

• Make sure if you have a prescription for antibiotics (medicine to treat infections) you finish all of it as directed even if you are already feeling better.    

• If you must be in Isolation, make sure that you know what steps you and your visitors must follow. Isolation procedures are intended to protect you, your family and other hospital patients and staff against the spread of infection.

Falls:

• If you have had a recent fall at home, please tell your nurse and doctor about it.

• The effects of medication, surgery, or your illness can affect your balance and ability to walk safely unassisted.

• Make sure you can reach the call bell if you are in your bed, a chair, or the bathroom to ring for help.

• Call for assistance when getting out of bed, up from a chair, to the bathroom or walking about, unless you and your nurse have determined that you can be up on your own.

• Wear slippers or shoes that fit properly and have nonskid soles.

• Wear clothing that will not restrict your movement when you are getting out of bed and moving about.

• Try to give yourself lots of time to get to the bathroom, to avoid slips and falls that may occur when in a hurry.

• If you were using a walker or other mobility aid at home, have your family bring it in for you to use while in the hospital. If you cannot have your own aid, ask your nurse to arrange for one for you while you are in the hospital.

• Your caregivers may use a transfer belt, or a mechanical lifting device to help you up or to transfer you to a chair, wheelchair or commode. They will instruct you on how the device works, and how you can assist.

• If you are a family member here with a patient, please let us know if your loved one has had a fall or if you are concerned about his/her safety at home.

• There is information available about falls prevention at home – please ask your nurse if you are interested.

Correct Identification – key to your safe care
All patients receiving care at our hospital are required to wear identification bracelets.

Our hospital policies require us to ask you to state your name and date of birth often – when doing lab tests, x-rays, giving medications and at time of major treatments and surgery. 

While it may seem unnecessary to be asked repeatedly, especially in a small organization in a small town where you may know your caregivers well, but it is a safeguard for you. 

Make sure that you always have an identification bracelet on, that the information on it is correct, and that it is easy to read. 

If you do not have an identification bracelet on, or if the print on it is faded or worn off, please tell your nurse immediately.

“Your Health Care Be Involved”  
…..Is an initiative developed and managed by the Ontario Hospital Association, focused on the important role that you as a patient play in each stage of your care. 

It brings the advice and expertise of health professionals together in five common-sense patient “tips” that can help you to make the most of every visit to your doctor, a hospital, or any health care provider.

These tips are:

1. Be involved in your health care. Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care.

2. Tell a member of your health care team about your past illnesses and your current health condition.

3. Bring all of your medicines with you when you go to the hospital or to a medical appointment.

4. Tell a member of your health care team if you have ever had an allergic or bad reaction to any medicine or food.

5. Make sure you know what to do when you go home from the hospital or from your medical appointment.

Updated April 29/08