Patient Safety   Privacy Notice   Additional Services   Patient Rights   Advance Directives   Accommodations   Document Library

Patient Safety

Patient Safety is Job One

Our top priority at FMH is the safety and well being of our patients.  But ensuring your safety requires your active participation in your care.  The more involved you are in your care, the more likely it is that your stay at FMH will be safe and secure.  It is very important that you partner with your healthcare team to make your stay at FMH as pleasant and safe as possible.

Help Us Help You Stay Safe

Make sure that all staff members check your name and date of birth before any   procedure, surgery or test is performed, or any medicine is given. Wear your hospital I.D. bracelet at all times.  If your bracelet comes off, ask your nurse to provide a new one.  Check the information on your I.D. bracelet to make sure that your name, birth date, and medical record number are correct. Expect healthcare workers to introduce themselves when they enter your room and look for their identification badges.

Speak Up.  It's your body and you have a right to know.

• Your health is too important to worry about being embarrassed if you don't understand something that your doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional tessl you.  If you don't understand - ASK.
• Don't be afraid to tell a nurse, technologist, or the doctor if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication, test or treatment.
• Don't hesitate to tell the healthcare professional if you think he or she has confused you with another patient.

Remind us if we do not:

• Introduce ourselves.  Make sure that our identification badges are visible.
• Wash our hands before any procedure.
• Verify your name and date of birth before any medication or procedure
• Explain the care and medications you will receive

Medicine Safety

While you are staying with us in the hospital, it’s important for you and your doctor     to talk about your medicines. Tell your doctor and nurse everything you’re taking,     including: prescription medicines over-the-counter medicines (like aspirin and cough medicine) medicines that a family member or friend gave you vitamins herbal products

Taking Your Medicines

• Let your doctor and nurse know if you have any allergies to foods or drugs or have had previous reactions to any drugs, foods or latex.
• Ask your nurse about your medicines—what they are, what they look like, what they do, when they are given and what side effects should be expected and reported.
• Make sure that the staff checks your I.D. bracelet before giving you any medicine.
• Look at all medicines before you take them. If you do not recognize a medicine, let your nurse know.
• You must not take medicines that you brought to the hospital from home. You should give them to your nurse until you leave the hospital or give them to someone to take home for you.

Click Here to view a Speakup Brochure produced by the Joint Commission that explains in
more detail what you can do to help ensure that you are given the correct medications.

Participating in Your Care

• Discuss your treatment plan with your doctor and nurse.
• Make sure that you understand and agree with that plan.
• Be informed about your treatments and ask when the treatments will be given and the purpose. Question anything that seems different or anything that you don’t understand.
• If you are having surgery, be sure that you and your doctor discuss the details of the procedure and that you understand what to expect.
• If you are experiencing pain, inform your nurse or doctor. Most pain can be controlled. You and your health care team can work together to manage your pain.
• You may receive a lot of information at once and that can be confusing. You may want to take notes or ask a family member or friend to listen with you when a diagnosis, treatment plan, test results or discharge plans are explained.
• If equipment is used for your care, know what it is for and how it should sound.
• If possible, designate one family member to interact with your health care team. This person can then pass along information to other family and friends.

We recognize the unhealthful side effects of smoking and actively support a smoke–free environment. Smoking is prohibited in the hospital. Smoking in patient areas puts patients, visitors and staff at risk. If you are a smoker and wish to quit, speak with your doctor or nurse about available options.

Preventing the Spread of Germs

Preventing Falls

Ask for help when getting out of bed, especially at night. The hospital  is an unfamiliar place, and most falls occur when patients try to get out of bed on their own to go to the bathroom.

• Make sure the nurse call button on your bed works and that you know how to use it.
• Let your nurse know if you will have trouble reaching the call button.
• If possible, call for help before the need to get to the bathroom becomes urgent.
• Make sure there is adequate light to see, and keep your eyeglasses within reach.
• Wear slippers with rubber soles to prevent slipping.
• Point out to staff any spills or obstructions on the floor.
• Make sure the brakes are locked when you get into and out of a wheelchair.