For Your Safety

Be a Partner in Your Care

Humboldt General Hospital is committed to providing you the best possible medical outcome during your stay with us. Improving patient safety requires continuous learning and constant communication between caregivers and patients.

Everyone has a role in patient safety and everyone will benefit from its successes! Patients can assure a safer experience by being actively involved with their care. This is the single most important way you can help in preventing medical errors. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to have better results. The following is a list of things you can do to help ensure your safety:

• Ask questions! You have the right to participate in your own patient safety and care. Our staff is ready and willing to help in any way they can!
• Request foreign language or sign language translators if you have any difficulty understanding instructions or information being provided to you by your doctor or caregiver.
• Make sure your doctors and nurses know about all the medications you are taking, including prescriptions, over the counter medications and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
• Make sure your doctors and nurses know about all allergies to medications, food and environment (dust, mold, fragrances) and what happens when you have an allergic reaction.
• Ask what to expect prior to taking medications, having treatments or undergoing diagnostic procedures.
• If someone comes into your room, ask them to identify themselves. All hospital employees and doctors have identification badges. If they don't have an identification badge, ring your call bell and ask for assistance.
• Make sure your caregivers check your armband identification each time before they administer medication, change IV solutions, get samples for lab work or perform any procedure or treatment.
• Infections can occur after certain types of medical procedures, such as surgery. Wash your hands carefully after handling any type of soiled material or going to the bathroom. Ask your friends and visitors to wash their hands when they come to visit. Since you are part of your health care team, do not be afraid to inquire whether doctors and nurses have washed or disinfected their hands with a waterless gel before working with you.
• You are the best person to know what doesn't feel or seem right to you. This could include a red or sore area where your IV is located, moisture or wetness around a dressing, a skin irritation, or anything you think doesn't feel right. If you notice anything, let your caregiver know right away!
• Some patients may not be able to fully participate in their care because of their condition. If this occurs, ask a family member or friend to be your advocate and speak up for you if you can't.
• Make sure your or a family member or friend completely understand your discharge instructions. Have your doctor or nurse explain anything you don't understand about the treatment plan you will use when you leave the hospital.
• Your safety and satisfaction are very important to us. You are a key member of the healthcare team. Your knowledge of the key points and participation in your care will help lead to a safe and successful visit at Humboldt General Hospital.

Fall Prevention

Help us prevent you from falling while you're here! Unless your nurse or therapist has approved it, don't try to get in or out of bed without help. Your illness or treatment may make you dizzy or weak, so take your time and be sure to wear nonskid slippers whenever you walk. If you get up by yourself, sit up in bed for a while before standing. Rise carefully, and slowly begin to walk. Remember that you are more likely to faint or feel dizzy after sitting or lying down for a long time. If the side rails on your bed are in the 'up' position, please leave them there. They will protect you from falls and help you turn in bed. Unless your doctor has specified a certain position, you may adjust your bed in any way that is comfortable.

Fall precautions may become necessary if you are disoriented. Ask your nurse for an explanation. Don't hesitate to use the emergency signal cord in your bathroom if you need help.