Inpatient Safety

Your Safety is Our Greatest Concern

At CoxHealth, our goal is to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable during your stay. This section includes resources that are important to know while you recover. As a patient or a family member of a patient, please review the following safety information.

During Your Stay

Patient Identification

Right patient. Right procedure. Right medicine every time.

• You'll be asked to say your name and birth date before you get medicines or tests.
• Your ID band will be checked before you get medicines or tests.
• Don't let anyone give you medicine or do tests on you without checking your ID band and asking you to say your name and birth date.

Medicine Safety

• Bring your medicines with you to the hospital. This includes herbal, prescription, vitamins, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Know why you're taking each one.
• Look at each medicine you're given. If it doesn't look like what you usually take, ask before taking the medicine.
• Understand what medicines you'll take when you go home.
• Know how to take your medicines.
• Ask if there are any special instructions for your medicine.
• Call your doctor if you have any concerns.

Questions to Ask About a New Medicine

1. What is the name of my new medicine?
2. What is it prescribed for?
3. What are the side effects?

Top Five Medication for Hospitalized Patients

1. Know your medicines. Keep a current list with you, including doses, instructions, and reasons for taking them.
2. Make sure your nurse scans your medicine and your ID band before you take them. Your nurse will identify you by your name, date of birth, and by scanning your ID band. Medicines will be scanned at your bedside. The nurse can show you the medication package if you ask.
3. Know the reason for taking each medicine. Know the possible side effects. Ask questions if you don't understand why you're taking a medicine. Nurses and pharmacists are here to help you.
4. Talk to your pharmacist and provider about your discharge medicines. Ask your provider if any of your existing medications are being replaced with new ones. Know which medicines to start, stop, change, or continue.
5. Let your provider know if the prescription cost is an issue. If you find that you can't afford your prescription, don't be embarrassed. Talk to your provider and pharmacist. They may be able to help find a solution.

Surgery Safety

• You'll be asked to say your name and birth date many times. You'll also need to say what surgery you're having.
• Your surgeon will mark the area on your body where you'll have surgery.
• All hospital staff will follow strict processes to prevent infection.
• The staff will make sure all safety precautions are in place before surgery starts.

Ways You Can Help Us Keep You Safe

• Ask questions if you don't understand what is said to you.
• Have a family member or friend listen to instructions with you. They can help you later if you forget something.
• Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care.
• Make sure you get the results of all tests.
• Report anything that you feel is unsafe. Call the Patient Safety Hotline at 417-269-7777.

Infection Prevention

We want to keep you safe by preventing the spread of infections. We follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ways to Prevent an Infection

• Cleaning hands is the best way to prevent infection. Hands can be cleaned by using soap and water or hand sanitizer.
• Ask staff about cleaning their hands. Staff must clean their hands between patients and as they enter and exit patient rooms.
• Family and visitors should clean their hands before and after visiting.
• Clean your hands often. It's important to clean your hands after using the bathroom and before eating. Ask your nurse if you need help cleaning your hands.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use tissues for mucus from your nose and mouth. Throw used tissues in a wastebasket. Then clean your hands.
• Isolation may be used to prevent the spread of infections. If you need isolation, it will be explained to you. A sign will be on the door to your room to alert people who will be entering.
• For questions, call Infection Prevention at 417-269-5159.

Safe Patient Handling

CoxHealth policy and Missouri law require all staff to use safe patient handling when caring for patients. This will help keep patients and staff safe. The staff may use mechanical lifting equipment.

Personal Items

• It's best to send your valuables home with family. You can also put them in the hospital safe.
• Talk to your nurse if you want to put items in the safe.
• CoxHealth isn't liable for loss or damage to your personal items. CoxHealth isn't liable for the replacement of personal items if they're lost or stolen.

Keeping You Informed About Your Care

• Communication boards are in your room.
• When your nurse ends their shift, they'll bring your new nurse into your room to meet you and talk with you about your care.

Hourly Rounding

Your nursing staff will check on you about every hour. They'll help you with the following during rounding:

• Ask about your pain level and help manage your pain, as needed
• Assist you into a comfortable position
• Help you with your personal needs and assist you to the bathroom, if needed
• Place your personal items within reach

Leadership Rounding

A member of CoxHealth leadership will visit you during your stay. They'll:

• Ask about your experience at CoxHealth
• Address your needs
• Make sure we meet your expectations

Tobacco-Free Property

• Tobacco is not allowed on or in CoxHealth properties. This includes outdoor areas such as parking lots and entryways.
• CoxHealth can help you stop smoking. Ask about our tobacco cessation program.

Weapons

Weapons cannot be used or displayed on CoxHealth properties. Firearms, knives, pepper spray or mace, fireworks, or anything that can injure a person is considered a weapon.

Rapid Response

You should call the Rapid Response Team if you feel you or your loved one's medical condition is quickly getting worse or if you're unable to get help by calling for the nurse.

Preventing Falls in the Hospital

Tips to Avoid a Fall

• Ask for help before getting out of bed – every time.
• Use the call light when you need help of any kind.
• Use the toilet often to avoid "emergencies." Always ask for help from staff. Don't get up from the toilet without help.
• Take your time when sitting, standing up, or lying down. Let your nurse know if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
• Wear safe footwear – nonslip socks or supportive shoes – at all times.
• Use a walking aid or walker as needed. Staff may use a gait belt to help you.
• Wear your glasses and hearing aids, if you have them.
• Use only stable objects to steady yourself. Never use an IV pole, tray table, or wheelchair.
• Let staff know if there's a spill or slippery spot on the floor.
• Ask your nurse what you can do by yourself.
• Keep important items – call light, phone, glasses – within easy reach.

What Family Members Can Do

• Wait for staff to help your loved one.
• Help keep the room free of clutter.
• Share your safety concerns with the nursing staff.
• Leave safety alarm settings alone (as set).
• Before leaving the room make sure:
  • The bed is in the low position
  • A maximum of three side rails are up
  • The call light and bedside table are within reach