SPEAK UP & STAY ATTENTIVE Ask questions if you are not sure what is happening. If something does not feel right or is incorrect, do not hesitate to let our staff know. Do not wait until it is too late to say anything. We would rather know ahead of time to ensure that you receive proper and safe care at all times. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK It is common for a number of people to be in and out of your hospital room. Feel free to ask for their name and ID. Speak up if a staff member does not ask to check your ID bracelet before performing a new treatment. Ask if caregivers have washed their hands before they touch you. If you are told that you need certain tests or procedures done, ask why you need them, when they will happen and how long will it be before you get the results. FIGHTING INFECTIONS While you’re in the hospital to get well, you should know that there is the possibility of developing an infection. The single most important thing that you can do to help prevent infections is to wash your hands. Make sure that everyone has washed their hands who interacts with or touches you. HAND HYGIENE Maintaining clean hands as often as possible is the best way of preventing the spread of infections, including common colds, flu and even hard-to-treat infections. Anyone visiting you should also practice frequent hand hygiene after touching objects and surfaces, as well as eating and using the restroom. Your healthcare providers are required to practice hand hygiene every time they enter your room. If they do not, do not hesitate to let them know. Your care is a team effort. It only takes 20 seconds to use soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer to kill germ-causing infections. NO SOAP? GRAB THE HAND SANITIZER Alcohol-based hand cleansers are as effective as soap and water in killing most germs. To use, apply the cleaner to the palm of your hand and rub your hands together until dry on all surfaces. KNOW YOUR MEDICATIONS While you are hospitalized, your provider may prescribe medications for you. Be sure to understand what they are prescribing and why they are being used. Use the checklist below for notes: • Name of the medicine • Possible side effects • Generic name of the medicine • Any medications that should be avoided while • Reason for taking the medicine using this medicine • Dosage size • Any foods, drinks or activities that might not • Frequency of the dosage be allowed while using this medicine PREVENT ANY MEDICATION ERRORS By being an active partner in your own care, you can help avoid any possible medication errors. It is important that your providers know of any and all medications that you may be taking. This can include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal and vitamin supplements, natural remedies and recreational drugs. Inform them of any allergies that you may have, as well. PRIVACY AND YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION You have privacy rights under a federal law that protects your health information. These rights are important for you to know. Federal law sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. Phy- sicians, nurses, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other healthcare providers are required to follow these federal laws, as well as health insurance companies, HMO’s, most employer group health plans and certain government programs that pay for healthcare, such as Medicare and Medicaid. CONFIDENTIALITY NUMBER Each inpatient is assigned a Confidentiality Number. This number allows and identifies family and friends as someone who can legitimately receive information about you. This system is used to safeguard patient confi- dentiality and is a federal requirement under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). WHAT INFORMATION IS PROTECTED? A wide variety of information is included in these protections. Items include: • Information in your medical record inputted by your physician, provider and nurses • Conversations that your provider has with nurses and others regarding your care or treatment • Information about you and your health insurer • Billing information about you at your provider’s o ce • Most other health information about you held by those who must follow these laws
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