Proactive Patient Safety

Patient safety is a priority at Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals. We strive to
provide the safest environment possible. We need you to be actively involved in
your safety as well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your care.

Hand Washing

Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent infections. Did you see your physician or
c a regiver wash their hands? Health care workers should wash their hands before and after each
patient contact. Don’t be afraid to ask your physician or caregiver to wash their hands! Each
patient room is equipped with alcohol hand sanitizer. If hands are visibly soiled they should be
washed with soap and water for 15 seconds. Good hand hygiene can help stop the spread of infection.

Patient Identification

Proper patient identification is a key component of patient safety. Prior to receiving treatment, you’ll be identified using your name and date of birth. You’ll receive an armband with this and other identifying information on it. As part of our medication verification process, your armband and medication will be scanned to ensure that it’s the correct prescription. This scanning technology is part of our commitment to provide you with safe care.

Please Call. Don’t Fall.

You will be assessed for your risk of falling while in the hospital. Medications, unfamiliar surroundings, surgery and changes in your health status are factored into the fall risk assessment. If you are assessed as a fall risk, you will receive yellow slippers to wear during transportation. In addition, a yellow sticker will be placed on your armband and a sign will be hung on your door. These yellow triangles will alert our staff to assist you.

If you need assistance getting out of bed or using the restroom, use the call light. Please call. Don’t fall. Do not attempt to connect or disconnect any tubing, devices or infusions. Ask your nurse or
caregiver if you have questions or concerns.

MRI Safety

If you are scheduled to have an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) test, be sure to answer all of
the screening questions accurately and completely. You may not be able to have an MRI if you have
one of the following magnetic things in or on your body: aneurysm clips, artificial or prosthetic limbs
such as artificial knees or hip joints, bullets or pieces of shrapnel, ear implants, heart pacemakers
or artificial heart valves, implanted artificial cardiac defibrillators, implanted IV ports, implanted spinal stimulators, insulin pumps, intrauterine devices (IUDs), metal pins, plates, screws or surgical staples, medication patch, tattoos and permanent eyeliner. In most cases these things will not cause an MRI problem if they have been in your body for more than four to six weeks. If your physician requests an MRI for you and you have any of the above in or on your bod y, be sure to tell your nurse or caregiver.

Recovery Plan

Plan for your recovery before you leave the hospital. Ask your doctor or caregivers about your
ability to do everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, using the bathroom, preparing
meals, driving, returning to work, and other activities important to you. Ask your physician or
caregivers how much help you will need during your recovery. Ask about your follow-up appointments. You should know when, where and with whom you meet following your discharge. Ask
your physician or caregivers about signs and symptoms to watch for and how to treat them. Ask about your diet and what foods you should avoid, if any. Providence Hospitals has discharge
planners and care managers that will assist you during discharge preparation.

Patient Safety Act

You have a right to know the identity and professional status of those who care for you. Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals staff wear name badges listing their name, department, job title or trainee title. Although we are a non-teaching hospital, you may have students or other clinical trainees involved with your care during your stay. Students and other clinical trainees give care only under direct supervision. Medical students, interns or resident doctors do not practice medicine at Providence Hospitals.

Your attending physician is the person responsible for your care. Depending on the type of care or service you require, your attending physician may change. If you or your representative would like to talk to your attending physician, your nurse will call your physician or designee and inform them of your concerns. If you or your representative wishes to call the attending physician, your nurse will provide you a telephone and phone number and will assist you or your representative in making the call. You or your representative may contact the nursing supervisor by calling the hospital operator at any time.

Providence Hospitals contracts with some physician groups. These independent contractors include Emergency department physicians, anesthesiologists, radiologists and pathologists. These contract physicians have separate billing offices and practices.