Patients & Visitors
Speak Up: You are the Reason We Are Here!
How Do You Know Us? How Can We Be Sure Who You Are?
Expect your nurses, doctors, lab workers and others to tell you who they are and what they do. They should always wear a badge with their name and picture.
Expect us to check your name bracelet and ask your name many times during your stay.
Be sure your name bracelet is correct.
Do not take medicine or agree to a test or treatment unless we ask your name and check your name bracelet.
Don’t be afraid to ask about safety. If you’re having a procedure, for example, ask the doctor to mark the area that is to be operated on, so there’s no confusion in the operating room.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. You can help prevent medical errors. The most important way to do this is to talk. Talk to your doctor, nurse and other health care workers. Bringing a family member or friend along can help.
Make sure your family member or friend understands your preferences for care and your wishes concerning life support and resuscitation.
Do You Have Questions?
Please ask us when you have questions. If our answers are not clear, please ask again.
Write down important facts your doctor, nurse or other caregiver tells you, or ask them to write it down for you.
We don’t want you to feel rushed to sign forms. Read all medical forms and ask questions before signing them. If you don’t understand, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them.
When you can, bring a trusted family member or friend with you to talk with your doctors and nurses. Let this friend or relative assist you with questions and when you review information.
Ask your doctor or nurse what might be important to report after you are discharged. Write down, or ask to have written for you, the person or place to call for help after you leave.
It is very important that you call your nurse if you feel that something is wrong with any of the equipment that we may use in the delivery of your health care. Attempting to fix a problem yourself could cause harm. You may be attached to electrical equipment which may beep or alarm, like an IV pump or a heart monitor. For a short time during your stay, you may have tubing connected to your body which may provide you medicine like an IV or drain away fluid like a urine bag. If equipment beeps or you need to use the restroom, please call your nurse. If you have tubing that becomes disconnected, call your nurse as well.
What We Need to Know About You.
Bring all your medicines with you to show your doctor. This includes things like cold medicine, aspirin, vitamins and herbs. This will help your doctor make sure your new medicine does not cause problems with ones you already take.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies or problems your medicines have caused-- such as a rash or stomach ache. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex.
Keep your medicine record up-to-date with any changes or new medicines.
“No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay and that there a discounted/sliding fee schedule is available.”