Creating a Safe Environment

We are strongly committed to creating an environment that is safe for our patients, visitors and staff. We believe that patient safety is best achieved when there is a continuous awareness of potential safety concerns and a commitment to eliminate them.

The single most important way you can participate in maintaining a safe environment is to be an active member of your health care team. That means taking part in decisions about your care and being aware of your surroundings. Research shows that patients who are involved with their care get better results.

When you visit the Emergency Department, it is important for us to know exactly what medications you are taking. This helps us with your diagnosis and treatment.

Looking for more information on how you can help us provide you with better care by providing us with an up to date list of medications?

Being an active member of your health care team means:

• If you ever feel there is a safety concern, please tell the hospital staff or your physician so your concern can be addressed.
• Make sure that all health care professionals involved in your care have all the important information about you. All allergies and reactions you have had to medications and/or food. All medications you are taking, including prescriptions, over the counter medications and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. It is valuable to keep an up to date list of your medications with you at all times. To learn more about using medications safely or to report a medication incident, we encourage you to visit the Safe Medication Use website. A medication incident is a mistake with medication, or a problem that could cause a mistake with medication. Medication incidents can happen in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, clinics, pharmacies and even at home. The Safe Medication Use website provides a way for consumers to submit incident reports and help improve the safety of our health care system.
• Ask for information about your medical condition if you have questions. Ask your questions until you have full understanding about your condition, treatment and plan of care. To help you remember, write your questions down and give them to your health care provider.
• Make sure you know the medications you are being given. Ask: What is the name of the medication? What is this medicine for? What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? Is there anything I should avoid while taking this medication? How often should I be getting this medication? Is this medication replacing any other drug I have been taking?
• If you get different information from your health care providers (nurses, doctors, pharmacist, physiotherapist) please ask for clarification of the differences so all providers are meeting your care needs in a consistent manner.
• Make sure you understand your treatment plan following discharge and ask for the written information that is available.

Fire Alarm (Code Red)

When you hear an alarm with the announcement of “CODE RED”, this is a fire alarm. Please be aware doors in hallways will close automatically and elevators must not be used at this time. Remain calm and listen for instructions from hospital staff. Do not move through the hospital unless directed to by staff or fire department personnel or until you hear the ALL CLEAR announcement. We regularly participate in fire drills so we can confidently respond in an actual emergency situation. The staff are well trained in responding to emergency situations and are committed to your safety.

2021-2024 Strategic Plan