Patient Safety: Tips for a Safe Hospital Stay

Overview

As a patient, your safety is a top priority for members of your healthcare team. You can take a few simple precautions to help make sure this hospital stay is a safe one.

Personal Safety

Your first goal should be to keep yourself safe from illness or injury. Protect yourself against infection. Wash your hands regularly, especially after you use the restroom. Make sure everyone else washes their hands before they touch you. Be aware that you may be at a high risk for falling. If so, ask for help before you get out of bed. And ask about use of personal electrical or electronic devices. These could interfere with the equipment in your room.

Prevent Medical Mistakes

You should also help prevent medical mistakes. Check your wristband and paperwork for spelling errors or incorrect information. Monitor the medications you are given. Make sure your doctors and nurses are aware of any allergies you may have. If you are scheduled for surgery, make sure to discuss the procedure with your surgeon. Ask the surgeon to mark the location of the surgery on your body. Be alert for procedures that may be unnecessary. Tell a doctor if you feel you have been scheduled for a procedure you don't need. If you can't read something a doctor has written, ask about it. You are an important member of your healthcare team, so be assertive and ask questions if you don't understand something.

Don't Become a Victim of Crime

Finally, don't become a victim of crime. Keep valuables at home, not in your hospital room. Don't leave your valued personal items out where people can see them. You may ask to see a staff member's ID at any time. Be careful in areas where there aren't a lot of other people, including parking lots and elevators. Ask about whether the hospital can provide an escort if needed. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure your safety during your hospitalization.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.