Your role in safe care

Communication

Safety starts with good communication.

Ask questions until you feel comfortable. We want to help you understand as much as possible about your care.
Listen and pay close attention to the information provided to you.
Talk to your care team about any problems you are having. Please share any important information that can help us provide better care.
For your safety, we will check your identification (for example, your name and date of birth). We haven’t forgotten who you are; this is just another safety check.

Infection prevention and control

Clean hands are the best way to prevent infections.

Make sure you clean your hands when entering and leaving your room and ask your visitors do the same. It is okay to remind your health care providers to clean their hands before providing care to you.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, then clean your hands.
Use the alcohol-based hand rubs located throughout the building or wash your hands with soap and water. If you need help, please ask.
Always wash your hands after using the bathroom.

Isolation precautions

You may need isolation precautions for many different reasons. The most common is if you have a germ (bacteria or virus) that can be easily passed on to other people.

Please follow instructions from your care team and ask your visitors to follow the instructions on the sign outside your room.

Medicine

Carry a list of all your current medicines, including creams, patches, drops and over-the-counter medicines (e.g. cold medication and pain relievers), herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals.

You should know:

name of the medicine
strength or amount (dose)
how often you take it
why you take it
when you take it

Tell your health care teams about any allergies or bad reactions to medicine in the past. Take the time to talk with your health care teams about your medicines. You can ask them:

why you are taking the medicine
if there are any changes (e.g., any medicines that have been stopped or added)
how you take the medicine
what benefits and side effects you may experience
when you need to follow up with your health care provider

Prevent falls

Take these steps to prevent a fall.

Ask your care team how to prevent or reduce the chance of a fall.
Wear footwear with non-skid soles, closed heels and toes.
Wear clothing that fits and will not cause you to trip or fall.
Keep your call bell, mobility aides and personal items within reach.
Ask for help if you need assistance to sit up, stand or walk to the bathroom.
If instructed by the care team not to get up or walk on your own, please ask for help.
If you have had a fall or injury, it is important you know how to support your mobility.

Pressure injuries

A pressure injury (also known as a bed sore) can happen when there is pressure on an area of skin. These injuries can happen quickly. Limited movement or long periods of not moving is the greatest risk. Most pressure injuries can be avoided.

You can help prevent a pressure injury by:

changing position as often as you can
checking your skin daily
avoiding moisture collecting on your skin
telling staff if you see or feel any new, red or painful areas especially on your buttocks and heels

Talk to your care team if you have any questions.

Safety concerns

If you have a safety concern or question, or you think something unsafe has happened, tell someone on your care team as soon as you can.
You may also contact.

the manager of the care area or ask to speak with someone from site administration
Covenant Health Patient Relations
Alberta Health Services Patient Concerns Officer at 1-855-550-2555
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada toreport medication errors
Health Canada to report a serious medication reaction or safety concern about healthcare equipment or supplies