Communication:
One of St. Gabriel's Hospital's
goals is to encourage and support open and honest communication with you,
your family, and your health care team.
• We participate in the Minnesota
Hospital Association's Patient Safety Registry. This provides us with the
latest safety information from around the state.
• We encourage you, your family,
and staff to speak up if there is a safety concern.
• It is our policy to be open and
honest with you and your family by informing you of the potential results
of your care, including any risks, benefits or alternatives pertaining
to therapeutic interventions.
• We encourage you to designate
a family spokesperson to help communication with your family and the health
care team.
• We survey our patients to learn
about their hospital stay experience. We review these surveys and make
changes as a result of your comments.
• We welcome the opportunity to
discuss the care you receive. If you have comments, questions, or concerns,
please contact us.
Send email to patrickrioux@catholichealth.net.
St. Gabriel's Hospital Key Safety
Highlights
• Our hospital participates in statewide safety and quality
activities:
• We participate in the Minnesota Hospital Association's
Patient Safety Registry. This allows us to share safety resources and knowledge
with hospitals across the state.
• Our hospital is committed to provide information to
our patients and their families by completing the Leapfrog Group survey
at www.leapfroggroup.org
• We have participated, and will continue to participate
in StratisHealth's (the Medicare beneficiaries' advocacy organization in
Minnesota) process improvement projects.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ranked Minnesota
4th in the nation for providing quality care to Medicare patients.
Other safety/quality
activities:
SECURITY ASSESSMENT:
We regularly complete a comprehensive security assessment
in order to identify priorities which will enhance security.
INFECTION CONTROL PLAN:
We have an Infection Control Plan that is updated annually
and provides for ongoing surveillance.
SELF ASSESSMENT:
We participate in the Institute for Safe Medication Practices
self-assessment process, which point to potential improvement opportunities
based on national "best practices."
COMMUNICATION:
We offer patients (or family members) a Medication Safety
Instruction Sheet and the Patient's Rights and Responsibilities to help
patients and family members understand their roles in providing for safe
health care.
COMPUTERIZED DRUG ORDERING:
We are currently in the process of investigating the
possibility of implementing a computerized drug ordering system.
ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY:
Each year, at least one clinical topic is identified
as an improvement priority with an emphasis on assuring that existing policies
and procedures are as up-to-date as possible, relative to external guidelines. |
Consumer Tips:
MEDICATION SAFETY
ASK THE DOCTOR AND PHARMACIST ABOUT THE MEDICINE.
What is the name, benefits, and possible side effects or reactions with
other medications or food/beverages?
• WHAT IS IT? Make sure you know
the name and color of the medicine. Take medicine in well-lit areas.
• WHAT IS IT FOR? Make sure
you know why the medicine is being taken.
• HOW DO I TAKE IT? Ask the
doctor or pharmacist to explain how to take the medicine and how often
it should be taken.
• WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR? Ask
what the results should be and possible reactions.
DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR PRESCRIPTION
Before you leave the pharmacy, check your medicine to
make sure it was prepared for you. Speak up before you leave because pharmacies
typically do not take back medicine once it has been purchased.
DISCUSS PREVIOUS ALLERGIES OR REACTIONS: Make sure
the doctors, nurses and pharmacists, know about any allergies or reactions
to drugs you or your family member might have.
BROWN-BAG IT: Bring the medicines or a list to
every appointment. Include over-the-counter, herbal, or dietary drugs.
Throw away old medicines.
At the hospital or clinic:
HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU: Bring a family member or
friend who knows your medical history and who can also ask questions. This
can help to ensure the best care possible. Family members often provide
the comfort and support needed to promote your return to good health.
BRING MEDICINES: Bring all the medicines you are
taking or a list of medications to every appointment.
BE ACTIVE AND SPEAK UP.
• SHARE MEDICAL INFORMATION. Write down and carry important
medical information with you. Keep a list of medical history, office visits,
and medication use. Medical information should include allergies
and the names, addresses and phone numbers of important health care providers.
• MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE PLAN OF TREATMENT. Ask
the nurse or doctor to explain any test results and the plan of treatment.
If anything is not clear, speak up and ask questions.
• MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT MEDICINES SHOULD BE TAKEN. Make
sure you know what has been ordered for your care. Ask questions if the
medicines look different from before.
• WASH HANDS. Patients, physicians, family members and
all caregivers should wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection.
• KNOW WHO IS IN CHARGE OF CARE. Make sure that someone,
such as your personal doctor, is in charge of the care for you or your
family member. This is especially important in a hospital or in case of
a complex illness.
TAKE NOTES: Write down any questions about the
patient's condition, treatment, clinic visit or hospital stay. Take notes
about what you learn from your caregiver. At the end of your visit to the
clinic or hospital, ask for information in writing, including information
about medicines, follow-up care, and your treatment plan.
LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN: It
is up to you to learn as much as you can about the care and treatment.
To help with this process, hospital inpatients are asked how they would
like their education presented to them. The most important way you
can help to you keep your medical care safe is to be an active and informed
member of the health care team. This means taking part in every health
care decision.
PREPARE FOR SURGERY:
• ASK QUESTIONS. Prior to surgery, talk to the
physician and nurse about any concerns.
• TALK ABOUT THE PROCEDURE. Make sure that you, the doctor
and surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what is going to be done.
Similarly, be sure that the risks, benefits and alternatives of your procedure
are clearly explained to you by your physician.
• MARK THE AREA. Make sure the body area to be operated
on is clearly marked. |
