Hospital Safety Information for Patients and Families

Your child’s safety is our number one priority. We believe everyone has a role in making health care safe, including you. We encourage parents to become active, involved members of the health care team.

• Talk to us about your child’s care and participate in all treatment decisions.
• Ask us about safety. Find out what we are doing to keep your child safe.
• Make certain you are clear about treatment plans and goals and don’t assume anything.
• Educate yourself about the diagnosis, medical tests and treatment plan.
• Have a clear understanding of the consents and medical forms before you sign anything.
• Write down questions and take them to the appointment.
• Make sure all care providers wash their hands before providing care.
• Help us prevent accidental falls. Let your health care provider know if a fall risk exists.
• Discuss all medicines that are ordered, including possible side effects and what to avoid while taking the medication.
• Have instructions in writing explaining what your child should and should not do after discharge.
• Don’t leave the hospital until we have answered all of your questions. If you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your right to know.

You may report concerns about safety in the hospital to the director of performance improvement/risk management.

If your issues are not resolved by the hospital, you may call the Joint Commission at (800) 994–6610 to report your concerns.