Patient Safety is Our Priority

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Chicago strongly supports the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Five Million Lives Campaign.

Everyone has a role in making health care safe: physicians, health care leaders, nurses, technicians-- and patients and families. You play a vital role in making care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of the health care team.

How to get involved in your or your child’s health care:

• Speak up if you have questions or concerns. If you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your child’s body and you have a right to know.
• Pay attention to the care you or your child is receiving. Make sure you are getting the right treatments and medications by the right health professionals. Don’t assume anything.
• Educate yourself about the diagnosis, medical tests and treatment plan.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
• Know what medications are being given and why.
• Understand what will happen if surgery is needed.
• Participate in all treatment decisions. You and your child are the center of the health care team.

Other ways to stay safe while in the hospital

• Please notify your health care provider of allergies.
• Make sure all care providers wash their hands before providing care.
• Prevent falls. Let your health care provider know if a fall risk exists.
• Ask questions when you are unsure of something.
• Make sure you understand the answers.
• Choose a doctor with whom you feel comfortable.
• Write down questions and take them to the appointment.
• Keep a list of all the medications your child takes.
• Bring a list of medications to all your appointments. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements like vitamins and herbs.
• Tell your doctor about drug allergies.
• Ask about side effects and what to avoid while taking the medication.
• Ask the pharmacist if the medicine looks different than one you previously used.

If you have concerns about safety issues in the hospital call:

Terry Wheat, drector of patient care services at (773) 385-5518 or
Terri Aiello, director of performance improvement at (773) 385-5825.

If your concerns are not resolved through the hospital call: The Joint Commission at (800) 994-6610.