When you visit a hospital, the last thing you should worry about is your safety.  To reduce your risks as a patient, Wilson N. Jones Regional Medical Center (WNJ) has implemented a number of safety measures.

Hand Hygiene

Did you know that not washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to spread an infection?

Our staff will wash their hands (or use a hand sanitizer) each time before they care for you. Don’t be afraid to ask your care giver if he or she has washed their hands. Ask your family and visitors to wash their hands as well.

Respiratory Hygiene

If you’ve sought care because of a respiratory (breathing) problem, there are some simple steps you can take to keep you and others safe:

• Let your care giver know if you are coughing up any sputum.
• Cough or sneeze into tissue or into your elbow rather than directly into the air or your hands.
• If you are asked to wear a protective mask, please do so.
• Depending on your illness, staff and visitors may need to wear a mask as well.

Contact Precautions

Depending on your illness, we may need to protect ourselves and others by not directly touching surfaces or articles that you have touched. This is known as “contact precautions”. Staff and visitors may be required to wear a protective gown and gloves.

If you are placed on contact precautions, your care giver will review the specific requirements with you.

Going to Surgery?

If you are here for a surgical or invasive procedure, there are several activities that we undertake to help keep you safe:

• Your physician and care team will confirm your identity, and the nature and side or site of your procedure with you. If you believe any of this information is incorrect, notify staff immediately.
• The site or side of your procedure may be marked prior to the procedure being performed. This is to assure that the procedure is performed on the correct part of your body. You will be asked to confirm that the correct side or site is being marked.
• You may be given antibiotics before and after your procedure to help prevent infection. Let your doctor know if you have any allergies to medications. The site of your procedure may also be cleansed with a disinfectant.

Other Ways to Keep You Safe

Your care team works to provide you with safe care in many ways. Here are some ways in which you can help:

• Patient and/or family members should let the nurse know if there is a change in the patient’s condition that may require contacting the Rapid Response Team to assess the patient. Patients and/or family members may also activate the Rapid Response Team by dialing 55555.
• Staff will use two methods of identifying you (perhaps your name and birth date or name and medical record number) when performing tests, administering medications, obtaining specimens, etc. This is done for your protection.
• Please let your physician and staff’ know of any medications you are taking, any allergies, and any difficulties you have had in taking medication in the past.
• Please ask questions about the care you are receiving. You have the right to receive the information you need to make an informed care decision. If you do not understand what is being explained or wish further information, do not hesitate to say so.
• If you feel unsteady on your feet or need assistance walking, please let your care giver know. You may be placed on precautions to prevent falling.

Please report any patient safety concerns regarding the care provided by WNJ to the Safety Officer at 903-870-4174.

You also have the right to file your complaint with either: