Staying Active
Staying active can help bring about a quicker and stronger recovery. To offset the negative effects of bedrest and immobility, including pressure ulcers or bedsores, your care team will help turn you, get you out of bed, and ensure that you receive proper nutrition. You also should ask your nurse or physician what activities you can do to enhance your recovery, such as spending time out of bed, sitting in a chair for meals, bathing and grooming yourself, and going for walks in the hallway with supervision.
Preventing Falls
The hospital is an unfamiliar place, and certain factors and medications can affect your balance and increase your risk of falling. It is important for you to be as active as possible, but we do not want you to fall. Please use your call button and ask for help when getting out of bed, especially if you feel weak or unsteady. Your care team is happy to assist you in getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, or walking around.
Restraints
The use of restraints to prevent harm to a patient sounds like a frightening concept that doesn’ t fit the definition of responsible patient care. UAB Medicine’ s goal is to use restraints only when we are concerned that you may harm yourself and only after other options have been tried. Through research and practice, we have identified alternatives to restraints such as distractions, comfort measures, and allowing family to be with you as much as possible. Restraints will be considered only as a last resort for your safety, and even then, we would use comfortable, minimally restrictive options for the least amount of time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’ t hesitate to discuss them with your caregiver.
Condition-Help( 5-6000)
Condition-HELP is an important safety initiative that gives patients and families an immediate way to voice concerns if they do not understand the care plan, feel they are not being heard, or sense their loved one is in danger of a medical emergency. Speak first with the medical team and then call Condition-HELP( 5-6000) to have our rapid response emergency team dispatched to your room.
For RNICU and CCN patients: As a parent, you sense and see changes in your baby that allow you to serve as their voice. When you call Condition-HELP, the emergency team will evaluate the situation and notify a neonatal specialist if further care is needed.
Help For Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. UAB is a tobacco-free campus located in the Birmingham Health District, and we encourage you to stop smoking during and after your stay. Talk to your doctor or nurse to get help for your tobacco cravings while in the hospital. In addition to the resources listed below, your television offers a series of on-demand videos to help you stay tobacco-free. No smoking-related items( matches, lighters, vape pens, etc.) are allowed in any location where oxygen is in use. Please take all such items home to keep you and your loved one safe.
The Health District is a smoke-free area established by a city of Birmingham ordinance to promote the health and wellness of patients, employees, students, and visitors. All sidewalks, streets, and outdoor public areas in the district are designated smoke-free.
• uabmedicine. org / readytoquit
• smokefree. gov
• quitnowalabama. com
• quitterscircle. com
• 1-800-QuitNow
Addiction & Recovery
We want to provide every patient with thoughtful, personalized care. If you have been suffering with an addiction or have received treatment for addiction in the past, please let us know, as it helps us better manage your pain and assist you in your recovery.
Emotional Health
If you feel overwhelmed or need emotional support, please talk with your nurse or care team. They can assist you in determining the best resources available and help make arrangement for your care, including a visit from a chaplain in our Spiritual Health department.
Stay Connected
Staying connected with family, friends, and community is very important to your healing. We encourage you to communicate with your loved ones while you are here and involve them in your care. We are here to help you in any way we can.
If you have access to a smart device or tablet: 1. Use apps such as FaceTime, Zoom, and WhatsApp to video visit with loved ones.
2. Participate in social activities, book clubs, and church services that are available for streaming through Facebook Live or other services. Many organizations record their events and post them for viewers to watch later.
3. If you would like to include your loved ones in conversations with your provider, please speak with a member of your care team for help.
4. If you do not have access to a smart device or tablet, speak with a member of your care team or use your in-room phone to make local phone calls by dialing 9 + the phone number, including area code.
FOR OUR PATIENTS uabmedicine. org 7