Patient Safety
Rapid Response Team
(Dial “0”)
If you are concerned that your condition is getting much worse or that something is
just not right — please let your nurse know. If you do not feel your concerns are being
addressed, you can activate the Rapid Response Team which will immediately assess the
situation and provide care needed to prevent a medical emergency. Following are some
reasons the Rapid Response Team can be called:
A major change in breathing, heart rate or blood pressure.
Confusion or a change in alertness.
A sudden or large amount of bleeding.
A lack of response to treatment or a worry that something “is just not right.”
Preventing Falls
Patients in the hospital are often at risk of falling. This is due to many factors including: being
weak or unsteady, being in an unfamiliar place, being connected to medical devices and
taking certain medications. To keep you safe, your care team will:
Develop a plan of care to avoid or limit factors that put you at risk.
Orient you to your room and explain fall prevention measures.
Encourage you to call for help to get out of bed or go to the bathroom.
Make other staff aware if you are at risk for falling with a yellow wristband, slippers
or blanket.
Routinely assess your risk for a fall and check on you often.
Things that you can do to prevent falls:
Use the call light to ask for help when you feel weak, unsteady or lightheaded.
If you are at risk for falling, your nurse may tell you to use the call light every time
you want to get up.
Allow plenty of time for staff to come if you need help using the bathroom.
Be particularly careful when using the bathroom or a bedside commode.
Wear non-skid slippers or shoes and use a cane or walker if needed.
Do not lean on things that may move such as a bedside table or IV pole.
Tell the staff right away about any spills or liquids on the floor.
Make sure that your call light and phone are always within your reach.
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