Your Safety While in the Hospital

While receiving care at the UC San Diego Health System, your medical and personal safety is our primary concern. Many procedures and practices are in place to protect your well-being and to make sure you have the best possible medical outcome. UC San Diego Health System developed its Safety Program to alert patients to the risks commonly inherent in hospitals and other healthcare settings, and to provide education on how to minimize those risks. You can help ensure a safer healthcare experience by simply participating with your healthcare team in your own safety and following the guidelines below.

Know Your Healthcare Professionals

All UC San Diego Health System employees: doctors, nurses, and all other staff must wear a photo identification (ID) badge. If someone approaches you without a badge or it is not clearly displayed, ask to see his or her identification. If the person fails to produce a UC San Diego Health System ID badge, immediately notify a nurse or manager.

Patient Identification Band

Instead of an ID badge, admitted patients receive an identification (ID) band. Please do not remove the ID band as it contains important information about you that will help us meet your individual needs. If your band is removed, falls off, or becomes uncomfortable, please alert your nurse immediately.

Recognize Your Medication

Each patient is prescribed medications specifically for his or her condition. Nurses undergo a detailed process to make sure that the medications each patient receives are the proper ones. If the medications you are given do not look familiar, speak up and alert your doctor or nurse. Chances are that despite its appearance, the medicine is correct but it doesn’t hurt to double check.

When your doctor writes a prescription, make sure that it is easy to read. If you can’t read it, the pharmacist might have difficulty too. You should also check your medicine when you go to fill a prescription. If it looks different from what you’re used to seeing, ask

your pharmacist to explain why. Most of the time, even when different in appearance, the medicine will be correct,  but once again, it is better to be an informed consumer. Don’t forget to check your prescription labels when you take your medicine. By being aware, you can help prevent errors.

Hand Washing is Important

Research shows that hand washing is the single most important act that anyone can do to prevent the spread of infection. UC San Diego Health System policy mandates that every health care provider, including doctors, nurses, and other staff, wash their hands with an alcohol-based gel or soap and water before and after patient contact. If you notice that a member of your healthcare team has forgotten to wash his or her hands, remind them – it’s for everyone’s benefit.

Other Important Points  

• Make sure you know who is in charge of your care. This is particularly important when many people are involved in your treatment or when you have many health problems.
•  Speak up if you have any questions or concerns. You have the right to know about your care and to question any member of your UC San Diego Health System hospital care team.
•  If you have a test taken, do not assume that no news is good news. Always ask your doctor for the result.
•  If you need surgery, make sure that your doctor, surgeon and yourself all agree clearly on exactly what needs to be done.

 Electrical Safety

We do not encourage patients to keep personal electrical equipment in their rooms. However, for your convenience, some items are allowed with the approval of the charge nurse or department manager. Small battery powered devices such as laptop computers and portable stereos are allowed in patient rooms. A hair dryer with a Ground Fault Interrupter and circuit reset button is also allowed.

Electrical devices that are not allowed in patient rooms include: heating devices of any type, coffee pots, space heaters, heating blankets or pads, and extension cords. Cell phones should not be used in patient rooms but may be used in the hallways.

No Smoking Policy

UC San Diego Health System is a smoke-free environment. No smoking is permitted in the hospital. Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas outside the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Valuables and Personal Belongings

Valuables such as jewelry and money should not be brought to the hospital. If you are scheduled for surgery, it is best to have a family member or friend keep your personal valuables, including watches, dentures, glasses, and wigs until after your initial recovery. If you prefer, these items may be locked in the hospital safe.