Patient Safety

Patient safety takes top priority at the Niagara Health System. Our facilities and staff work to keep you safe while we provide the healthcare you need. You and your family can play a vital role in the process. You can help prevent potential infections, falls and medication errors. Please read this section, share it with your family and speak with your interprofessional team if you have any questions.

• Infection
• Falls Prevention
• Medication Safety
• Wheelchair Accessibility
• Tips for Patients and Families

Ask questions whenever you have a concern about patient safety.

Infection

Stopping the spread of infection can be as simple as a thorough washing of your hands. It remains the single most effective way to control infections. Learn about proper hand hygiene.

Falls Prevention

Falls, particularly in the elderly, are responsible for most fractured or broken bones, and in many cases, these falls are preventable. Learn about falls prevention.

Medication Safety

Your health care is a team effort, and you are an important member of the team. You and your family can help prevent medication errors.

Before Treatment

Your doctors need information about your medications to make sure new prescriptions don’t cause problems.

• Make and carry a list of all medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Show the medication list to your doctor and nurse.
• Tell your interprofessional team about any allergies you have, or bad reactions you had to medications in the past.
• Learn what medications you will take during treatment. Ask what they do, how and when you should take them, and what to do if you miss a dose. Ask about possible side effects, and what you should do if you have them.
• Ask if you should keep taking your usual medications in addition to the new ones.
• Inform your interprofessional team if you have any changes to your medications.

During Treatment

You can help make sure you get the right medication at the right time.

• Speak up if something doesn’t seem right — for example, if a medication looks different, or the routine changes.
• Don’t let anyone give you a medication without checking your identity including your full name and date of birth or hospital identification bracelet.
• When a nurse gives you medicine (IV or oral), ask what it is. This can prevent accidental mix-ups.
• Don’t take any medicine unless your doctor or nurse practitioner has prescribed or approved it.
• If you have symptoms from medicine, contact your interprofessional team right away.
• Consider asking a relative or friend to come with you to appointments and treatments.
• Use your “special instructions” page and discuss with your interprofessional team.

After Treatment

Your prescriptions will probably change after treatment ends.

• Ask your doctor to review with you the list of medications to take after your treatment is done. Ask if you should resume taking medications you had before treatment.
• Ask what to expect. Let your interprofessional team know if you have any unexpected symptoms.
• Don’t discontinue a drug or change the dosage without talking with your interprofessional team.
• Talk to your interprofessional team before combining over-the-counter drugs with your prescription medicine.

(used with permission from Dana-Farber www.dfbwcancer.org)

Wheelchair Accessibility

Wheelchair-access entrances are available at all hospitals. Please follow hospital directional signage for drop-off and pick-up areas.

Tips for Patients and Families

As a patient or family member, studies have shown that people who are more informed and involved in their health care tend to stay safer and have better health outcomes. To ensure that you or your family member receive the best care possible, remember to ask – talk – listen with your team of healthcare providers.