hospital safety : keeping children safe in the hospital

Children, just like adults, are vulnerable when they are in the hospital. Protecting them from harm is an important role for a parent. Here are some ways you can participate in the care of your child:

• Understand what will happen in your child’s care is important. Knowing what is expected can help you provide an extra pair of eyes and ears.
• Take care to respect all safety signs and messages. Behaviors such as washing your hands, making sure a security door is shut, or not allowing children to run down the halls, can help protect patients from harm.
• Share concerns and remain an active participant in the healthcare team. There are effective ways to show concern and participate while not disrupting care processes. Inviting the staff to engage you as a partner is a good first step.

The Joint Commission (the organization that accredits hospitals) makes the following suggestions for helping keep your child safe during surgery:

• Ask that sleep medicines be given to your child at the hospital so the care team can observe how your child might react to these medications.
• Learn what you can about the surgeon and his/her experience with the type of surgery your child will have. Talk to the surgeon and others who will operate on your child. Find out how often they have done the surgery. This will help you build a relationship with him/her, and ideally make you feel informed and comfortable with his/her ability to perform the surgery.
• Be sure you know what part of your child’s body will be operated on. Ask the surgeon to “sign the site” of the operation while you are with your child. This will help everyone be clear of the correct area. The only mark should be on the part to be operated on.
• Ask to stay with your child until he/she falls asleep.

hospital safety : how to avoid fall in hospital?

Falls in hospitals are a significant problem and patients of all ages are vulnerable to them, especially the elderly. Falls often happen when patients try getting out of bed to either go on a walk or go to the bathroom. If you need to get out of bed, you should:

• Let people know. Use your call button.
• Ask for assistance in getting to the bathroom.
• Ask for help if you want to move about your room or stroll hospital hallways.
• Wear non-slip socks or footwear that fit well.
• Lower the bed height and side rails. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
• Talk to your healthcare team if your medicine makes you feel unsteady or dizzy. If you are sleepy, light-headed, sluggish or confused, ask about getting a different medication so you feel more like yourself.

Many hospitals have fall prevention programs, and some provide visual aids such as bracelets and stairs for patients at risk for falls. These tools can help alert everyone that you may have trouble with balance. Your family and other visitors should also learn how they help protect you from falls. Tips include:

• Keep the room tidy
• Keep medical equipment (i.e. IV poles) out of the path to the door or bathroom
• Keep the hospital bed low and wheels locked
• Keep personal items (i.e. glasses, books) and tools (i.e. call light and TV remote) within easy reach
• Keep the bathroom clean and ready for use

hospital safety : how to prevent medication error during hospital stay?

Reduce the chance for medication errors by being informed, alert, organized and aware. Be sure to:

• Bring all the medicines you are currently taking with you so that your healthcare team can review them. Do not forget over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal remedies.
• Know what the medicines given to you in the hospital look and taste like. If either is different when your nurse brings them to you, ask why. If you are not fully coherent, have a family member or friend do so for you.
• Know what ailments or conditions your medicines are treating. It is helpful to know both the clinical and consumer-oriented name for your condition(s).
• Some discomfort can be expected, but it is important to let someone know about an atypical response to medication, which could help flag a potential problem or error in your care.
• Make sure your nurse or medication administrator checks your hospital wristband before giving you medication. Your family members can also watch to ensure this happens.
• Share your medication list with a friend or family member every time it changes. Make sure the list is dated, as your list of medications may change often.
• Make sure you are not taking medications or dietary supplements from home without your healthcare team’s knowledge.
• Remember that some of the same drugs have different names, while some drugs have similar names but are different. Having a printed, legible list of your medications that includes generic and brand names is helpful in sorting this out.

Make sure care team members who bring medications to you are aware of any allergic reactions you have had to medicines in the past. Ensure your family members are aware of any drug allergies as well. Many of these suggestions to keep medication use safe in the hospital can also be helpful at home.