|
YOUR SAFETY AND SECURITY
The
doctors and staff at St. John’s Mercy
want you to feel safe during your hospital stay. We ask that you join our team
in their efforts to keep you safe. Consider the following suggestions while you’re
in the hospital:
SAFETY
Smoking
Tobacco use is strictly prohibited both inside and outside hospital buildings.
Visitors and patients may not use tobacco products while on the premises.
Please speak to your nurse if you need nicotine replacement therapy.
- Tobacco
is the greatest cause of disease and premature death in America today. Your
health care team encourages you to stop smoking. If you have quit smoking,
we congratulate you on this giant step to improving your health. Information
and resources about quitting smoking are available-ask a member of your
health care team.
Staff Identification
- Expect
the staff to introduce themselves to you. Look at their badges that tell
you their name and their title.
- If you are the parent
of a new baby or small child, be sure you know the name and title of the
staff caring for your child. If you have any doubts, ASK.
Medications and Treatments
All medications you take while in the hospital are prescribed by your physician,
dispensed by a licensed pharmacist and administered by a nurse/respiratory
therapist.
SJMH uses bar code technology
for distribution of your medication. For your safety, you may not administer
your own drugs or keep personal medications at your bedside.
- If you think
you might be getting the wrong medicine or treatment, say so right away.
Double-checking to “make sure” will help you and the staff
feel safer.
- To improve medical safety,
ask staff:
- The purpose of each
medicine you take and each treatment you receive.
- What you can expect
from these medications and treatments.
- Written information
on the medicines and treatments.
- Be sure to inform
the staff if you have allergies to medications, food, latex or other things.
Oxygen
Special regulations are in effect when a patient is receiving oxygen.
- Electrically
operated equipment, aerosol products, and petroleumbased products (i.e. Vaseline® and
Chapstick®) are not permitted in these areas.
- Wind-up toys, radios,
and nurse call/TV remote controls are not permitted inside an oxygen tent.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available in all nursing units. However, since getting
in and out of a wheelchair without proper assistance could be hazardous, please
ask for help from a member of the hospital staff.
You and Infection Control:
Working Together to Prevent Infections
Hospital-acquired infections affect more than 2 million patients nationwide
each year.
- Clean you hands.
- Cover
your mouth and nose.
- Many diseases are spread
through sneezes and coughs. When
you sneeze or cough, germs can travel 3 feet or more!
Controlling a cough if you are sick can help prevent the spread
of infection to others.
- Avoid close contact
- Tell
relatives and friends not to visit if they have a cold or feel
sick.
These steps can help prevent
the spread of infection from colds, influenza (“the flu”) and
diseases like:
- Pneumonia*
- Whooping
cough*
- SARS
- Chicken pox*
- Tuberculosis
- Strep
throat
- Mumps, Measles, and
Rubella* (also known as German measles)
*Remember to get a shot to prevent this disease or infection.
Isolation Precautions
Some illnesses require special precautions. If needed, an isolation sign will
be placed outside your room. It does not list your illness, but it tells
staff and visitors about precautions to help prevent spread of disease.
If you need these special precautions, staff may:
- Ask you to stay in your
room.
- Ask everyone who comes
into your room to wear a gown and gloves, and maybe a mask.
- Ask you to wash
your hands or use alcohol-based hand wash and wear a cover gown before leaving
the room.
Correct Site Surgery
The nurses and physicians at St. John’s Mercy Hospital work together
to promote the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s
(JCAHO) universal protocol for correct site surgery.
- Prior to your surgical
procedure, multiple caregivers will ask you and your family members to restate
your name, the type of surgery you are having, and the correct site.
- In
our Pre-Operative Holding Area, just prior to surgery, the nurse will once
again question you and then mark the correct surgical site with a special
ink pen.
- As a final check, the
surgical team, including your surgeon, the OR nurses, and your anesthesia
caregiver, will take a“time-out” immediately before the start
of your surgery for a final confirmation of the surgical site.
Fall Safety Program
The Fall Safety Program is designed to make the hospital environment the safest
possible for you and your family members. By initiating certain steps common
to all patients, St. John’s Mercy strives to meet your safety needs.
Examples of those steps include keeping your call light within your reach,
assisting you to the bathroom, and posting caution signs when the floor
is wet. Please notify your nurse if you:
- Have a history of falling
- Take
medications that make you dizzy
- Become lightheaded during
the course of your hospital stay
- Need assistance to go
to the bathroom
- Become disoriented at
night.
Please review the list
below to see how you can take an active role in making your environment a safer
one:
- Ask for a staff member
to assist you out of bed
- Don’t climb over
the bed rails
- Wear your glasses when
you are up
- Call for assistance
to go to the bathroom, walk down the hall, or get into or out of the chair
- Notify
staff members if the floor is wet
- Notify staff members
if you have any safety concerns within the environment
- Please wear slippers
and loose clothing when walking in your room or in the hall.
At St. John’s
Mercy, we encourage you and your family to be strong and effective partners
in working with physicians, nurses, and other caregivers to ensure no mistakes
occur in your care
SECURITY
Fire Drills
For your protection, the hospital conducts fire and disaster drills regularly.
If a drill occurs, please remain in your room and a staff member will inform
you of any necessary procedures.
Valuables
The hospital will not accept responsibility for valuables that you choose to
keep with you in your room. All patients are encouraged to leave valuables
at home, send all valuables home, or deposit all valuables with Security.
Lost Items
If you lose something during your stay, please notify your nurse immediately,
and he or she will make every effort to help find it. Unclaimed articles
are turned in to the Security Office and kept for 30 days. Please do not
place valuables in your linens.
Help Us to Keep You Safe
We invite you and/or your family members to partner with us to better provide
you safe care by:
- Sharing vital information
with your health care workers i.e. medications you take, any allergies you
have, how well you get around.
- Asking anyone who has
direct contact with you if he or she has washed their hands.
- Asking all
health care workers to check your armband before giving your medication or
performing a procedure.
- Speak up if you have
any questions or concerns.
Domestic Harmony
Supporting our patients in a safe environment, both at the hospital and in
your home is of utmost importance to our mission. Domestic violence can
occur in any setting. Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors that
involves physical or emotional abuse or the threat of physical or emotional
abuse. St. John’s Mercy Hospital recognizes domestic violence as
a major health concern. If you are in an abusive relationship, please ask
your nurse to contact Care Coordination.
Questions and Concerns
- Let
us know if you have any questions or concerns about your care. Do not be
embarrassed to ask questions. You have the right to understand your care.
- Being
in the hospital can be stressful. Asking a trusted family member or friend
to spend time with you may help. Often they can ask questions that you
may not think of if you’re stressed. Make sure this person knows
your wishes about resuscitation and life support in case you are not able
to speak for yourself.
|
