Speak up
Everyone has a role in making health care more safe, and at Samaritan Health Services we invite
you to help make a difference. When you or a loved one is a patient at a Samaritan Health Services hospital or home health care agency, we want you to receive the best and safest care possible. Our hospitals, outpatient centers and clinics are committed to creating and maintaining an environment of care that ensures the safety of our patients.
To make your health care visit safe, many steps have been taken to prevent errors during your care, and we need you to be an active part of our team. If you do not understand a medication, test, or
anything about your care, ask questions. Tell us everything you know, think and feel about your
health. We need this information to provide the safest care possible.
What you can do to help keep your health care safe
• Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. Your health is to
important to worry about being embarrassed if you don’t understand something.
• Tell us about your allergies to medicines, foods or other things.
• Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you are getting the right treatment and medications by the right health care professional. Notify the staff right away if something does not seen right. Don’t assume anything.
• Hand washing is the best way to prevent infections. Notice whether your caregiver have washed their
hands. Don’t be afraid to remind a doctor or nurse.
• Educate yourself about yourself about you diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing and your
treatment plan. Be sure you get test results by asking your nurse or physician about tests that have been done. Read all medical forms and make sure you understand them.
• When you walk around, call for help if feel weak or dizzy.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate. Your advocate can ask questions that you
may not think of. Make sure this person understands your preferences for care and your wishes concerning hospitalization, life support and resuscitation.
• Make sure the doctor or nurse confirms your identity before administering medications or treatment.
• Know which medications you take and why you take them. Ask about the medicines we give you to be sure they are the correct ones. If you are not sure what your medicines are, ask questions before taking them. Tell the staff about the medications and herbals you are taking. Tell us about any effects you had from medicine. Make sure you can read the handwriting on any prescriptions written by your doctor.
• Use a health care facility that has undergone on-site evaluation for national quality and safety standards. All Samaritan Health Services hospitals and home care agencies are periodically reviewed by an outside agency, such as the Joint Commission for Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO).
What we will do to help keep your health care safe
• Provide hospital patients with identification bands. We use your name and date of birth to be sure
we’ve properly identified you.
• We frequently wash our hands and sometimes wear gowns or masks to protect you and our staff.
• Ensure all medical equipment functions properly.
• Sometimes we’ll ask you the same questions repetitively in order to ensure we are doing the
right thing at the right time with the right patient. For example, if you have surgery we will ask you
what surgery you’re having at multiple stages of your admission.
• As health care workers, we introduce ourselves when we enter your room and should always wear our identification badges.
Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis and medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
Ask a trustful family member or friend to be your advocate.
Know what medications you take and why you take them.
Use a health care facility that has undergone on-site evaluation for national quality and safety standards.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment.
If you have questions or want more information, please ask one of our hospital staff or call one of
the numbers listed below:
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center
541-768-5111
Samaritan Albany General Hospital
541-812-4000
Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital
541-258-2101
Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital
541-265-2244
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital
541-994-3661
If you have any patient safety concerns you may
contact JCAHO at www.jointcommission.org. |
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