Patient Safety

We place a high priority on promotion of safety and prevention of injury. Your well-being is our primary concern. However, despite our best efforts, medical errors can happen. They can happen when something doesn't work out as planned or when the plan wasn't the best in the first place. Most errors result from problems created by today's complex health care system. They can also happen when doctors and their patients have trouble communicating. What can you do? Be involved in your health care!

The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team. You can also have a family member or friend act as an advocate for you. See the information below and - above all - speak up if you have any questions or concerns!

Ask Questions

There may be a number of people involved in your care. Feel free to ask questions about your care and to express your preferences and concerns. You may want to bring a family member, friend or caregiver with you during your admission. A friend can put you more at ease, remind you to ask certain questions and help you recall special instructions later on.

Staff Identification

All Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital  employees and volunteers wear name badges that identify their names and departments. If an employee or volunteer is NOT wearing a name badge, please ask him or her to put it on, or ask for another staff person.

Patient Identification

The patient identification bracelet (ID band) you receive on admission is important for many reasons. This band has your medical record number on it and is how you are identified at Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital. Do not let anyone give you medications, tests or procedures without checking your ID band every time.

Describing Symptoms

A physical examination, evaluation and medical tests provide valuable information about your condition, but your description of symptoms is key in your diagnosis and treatment. When asked about your symptoms, try to identify when the symptoms started, what time of day they occur, how long they last, how often they occur, and if they are getting better or worse. The more details you can give us, the better.

Pain Management

We want you to be as comfortable as possible. Although it may not be possible to eliminate all pain, there are methods to reduce pain to tolerable levels. Please let us know when you are having pain. You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0 - 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being severe pain. Reporting pain as a number helps the doctors and nurses know how well your treatment is working and whether changes should be made.

Preventing Falls

Patients at risk for falling will be identified with a yellow wrist (ID) bracelet. Bed siderails, alarms and "gerichairs" may be used to provide safety and preserve patient dignity. Fall prevention restraints will be used only as a last resort. To reduce your risk for falling, please follow the suggestions below:

• Wear slippers or shoes with nonskid soles. Hospital floors can be slippery. Get up slowly.
• Sit on the edge of your bed for a few minutes. If you feel dizzy or weak, put on your call light. Be sure you know how to use your call light. Try it while the nurse is in the room to be sure.
• Notify the nursing staff of a spill on the floor.
• Your hospital bed is probably higher and narrower than your bed at home. When needed, call for help getting into or out of bed. If the side rails are up don't try to climb over or between them. Use your call light to get help.
• If you have an IV line, use your call light to get help moving with your IV.
• Don't try to use furniture for support.
• There is a call light at your bed and in the bathroom. Use the call light to get help.
• Leave the bathroom light on at night so you can see if you must get up.
• Wheelchairs tip easily. Please ask for assistance when getting into or out of one.
• Keep items within easy reach. Ask your nurse or someone else to place your call light, glasses, or other needed items where you can easily get to them.
• Don't wait until the last minute to go to the bathroom. Get up slowly and ask for help if needed. Make sure the light is on if it's dark.
• Families of a patient at high risk for a fall should notify the nursing staff when they leave the patient's room.

If You Are Having Surgery

Make sure you understand what will happen if you are having surgery. You, your doctor and surgeon should agree on exactly what will be done during the operation. Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses if you have allergies or have ever had a bad reaction to anesthesia.

Some questions to ask the surgeon:

• Who will take charge of my care while I'm in the hospital?
• Exactly what will you be doing?
• About how long will it take?
• What will happen after the surgery?
• How can I expect to feel during recovery?

Medications

Your doctor, nurse and pharmacist have major roles in medication safety while you are in the hospital. They select the medication that's best for you, prescribe the correct dose, dispense the medication correctly and label it clearly. They also check to see that it's working and monitor you for side effects. For your protection, we have a system of checks and balances in place. Each medication order is checked and double-checked by pharmacy and nursing staff.

You play an important part in safely managing your medications. As a patient or family member, your role is key. You share the responsibility for safe medication use. You owe it to yourself and your family to learn as much as you can about the medications you are taking.

When you are admitted to the hospital bring a list of the medications you are taking, including dose and how often you take them; include over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. If you don't have time to make a list, bring the medications. Keep them in their original container. After the names of your medications are written down, have your family take them home.

• Keep a list of medications that you cannot take and the reasons why (e.g. allergic reactions) and provide this list to your healthcare providers.
• Communicate the way you take your medications, especially if different from how they were prescribed.
• Whenever a new medication is prescribed, ask questions and if you don't understand the answers, ask again.
• Before any test or procedure, ask if it will require any dyes or medicines and remind your nurse and doctor if you have allergies.
• When a nurse gives you a medication or intravenous (IV) solution, ask what it is for. If you think a medication is not given on time, let your nurse know. If you receive a medication that looks different than it usually does, be sure to question your nurse or other healthcare team member.

Test Results

• Make sure you get the results of all tests and procedures.
• Ask the doctor or nurse when and how you will get the results.
• Don't assume the results are okay. If you don't hear anything, call the doctor and ask questions.

Medications at Discharge

• Learn the name of each medication that is prescribed for you, why you are taking it, the dosage and the schedule of how you are to take it.
• Ask if you should avoid any foods, beverages, other medications or activities.
• Review your discharge instruction sheet and question anything that is unclear or confusing.
• Repeat the instructions back to the nurse, doctor or pharmacist. This is a good way to verify that you understand it correctly.
• Read the label, including warnings. Make sure it's the medication your doctor ordered.
• Request any written information available on the medication.
• Some medications react with alcohol. If you drink alcohol, be sure to check with your nurse, doctor or pharmacist whether it is safe to do so.
• Report any reactions, side effects or allergies to your healthcare provider.
• Keep a list of all medications you take and take them with you to your doctor.
• Make sure that each of your doctors is aware of medications that other doctors have prescribed for you.
• Question anything that does not seem right. Be alert to unexpected changes. If you get a prescription refill that seems to have a different strength or appearance, ask questions!
• If you're having problems with a medication, call your doctor.

This information should not be considered specific medical advice and is not meant to replace professional medical service. Always contact your personal physician for medical advice or direction.