• Preventing Falls
PATIENT CARE
AND VISITORPLAN
GUIDE
PARTICIPATE IN YOUR
Here are some ways you can be involved:
Fall prevention is important to us and your
safety is our priority. Certain factors can
increase your risk for falling. Let your care
team know if you have a history of falling and
always call for assistance, especially if you
feel lightheaded, weak, or unsteady on your
feet. Your care team will assist you in daily
activities such as personal hygiene, walking,
and getting out of bed.
• Hand Hygiene
We require all staff to clean their hands
prior to entering a patient room and before
any hands-on care. Cleaning our hands
is the most important precaution we can
take to prevent the spread of infection. We
encourage families and guests to frequently
clean their hands with the hand rub provided
throughout the hospital. Ask anyone who
has contact with you if they have cleaned
their hands – do not be shy. They will not
mind. Help us by being a partner in
your care!
repeat what the doctors and nurses say in your own words and take notes.
• Ask any questions you have – speak up if something is unclear or confusing and keep asking until
you understand.
• Only agree to those things that you fully understand.
• Remember that you have many rights as a patient including the right to refuse any treatments.
• Provide complete and accurate information about your medical history, conditions, and allergies.
• Let us know if you are participating in a research study.
• Pressure Ulcer Prevention
• Listen carefully when the risks, benefits, and alternatives of any procedure are being explained –
Lying in bed for long periods of time without
moving can lead to pressure ulcers or
damage to the skin, also called bed sores.
To prevent pressure ulcers, your care team
will help you get out of bed, keep you clean
and dry, and make sure you get enough
nutrition. If you are unable to turn or get
up, they will turn you frequently. Pressure
relieving devices such as foam dressings,
wedges and boots may also be used.
• If you are having surgery, participate with the care team in marking your surgical site.
• Tell us who your family members or friends are and how you want them to be involved.
• Use the My Workbook section of this Toolkit to write down any questions, notes, or information.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Rounding
Nursing and clinical staff will visit you throughout the day to make sure you are comfortable and all your care
needs are met. We call this “hourly rounding”, and we will round on you once each hour while you are awake
and every two hours through the night. We will ask about your pain and any other discomfort you may be
experiencing. We will also assist you to the restroom and make sure you have everything you need within
reach. If at any time during your stay you feel you are not getting very good care, please let us know. Speak
up! This is your time to ask questions and be an advocate for yourself or your loved one.
Quiet Time
A calm and healing environment can support the patient’s sleep, health and overall recovery. While we try
• Pain Management
Make sure you tell us if you have pain. We want to know so we can control it during your stay.
Additional ways to control pain may include relaxation techniques, hot or cold therapy, and deep
breathing exercises. Please let us know what works best for you so that we can help! You can also
tune to channel 116 on your television, which provides relaxing images and music to help ease
discomfort and pain.
Remember! You are not complaining when you tell us about your pain. Pain relief is important to
your recovery.
to decrease noise, feel free to close your door when resting and notify us if we are being too loud. Tune to
channel