Your role in safe care

Communication

Safety starts with good communication.

• Ask questions until you feel comfortable. It is important that you understand as much as possible about the care you receive.
• Listen and pay close attention to all of the information provided to you.
• Talk to your health care provider about any problems you are having. Please share any important information that can help us provide better care.
• Expect us to check: We use two person identifiers to verify your identity at various times throughout your stay (for example, your name and date of birth). We haven’t forgotten who you are; this is just another safety check.

What you can do to help us keep you safe

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.
  • 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 toilet.
• 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 (e.g., into your elbow sleeve, with a tissue), then clean your hands.

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 any signs posted 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. Visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca for more information and tools.

Tell your health care teams about any allergies or bad reactions to medicine in the past.

You should know:

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

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.

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

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 so that they can help you.

You may also contact:

• the manager of the care area or ask to speak with someone from site administration
• Covenant Health Patient Relations
• The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada to report medication errors
• Health Canada to report a serious medication reaction or safety concern about healthcare equipment or supplies