Patient Safety

At Valley Presbyterian Hospital, your health, safety and comfort are our top priority. We appreciate your assistance in maintaining your health and safety.

These are some of the ways you can help us:

• Make sure we know of any allergies or sensitivities to food, medication or latex products you may have.
• Make sure to wear your hospital identification band at all times.
• Please do not hesitate to ask your doctor or staff member for information if you don't understand the reason or purpose of a test or treatment.
• Please observe the safety precautions that have been designed as part of your treatment plan (e.g., calling for help when getting out of bed, observing safety precautions to prevent the spread of infection, etc.)
• Please keep the call button and necessary items easily within your reach.
• Request the identification of everyone who comes into your room.
• Speak up if the hospital staff fails to check your ID bracelet.
• Ask all individuals if they have washed their hands or applied hand sanitizer before coming into contact with you.
• Most importantly, if at any time you have a concern regarding quality, safety or accuracy, please let our staff or a supervisor know.

Drills

To ensure your safety and wellbeing, the hospital continually monitors and tests a wide range of security and safety measures. You may hear overhead announcements for drills and other messages. Be assured that your nurse will monitor these announcements and inform you of any necessary information.

Earthquake

In case of an earthquake, stay in your bed. Your nurse will arrive as soon as possible. Keep your over-bed table and shelving clear of heavy objects that may fall. Your TV is anchored to prevent it from falling. Keep calm. A trained response team will provide assistance as soon as possible.

Electrical Equipment

To ensure everyone's safety and compliance with California codes, electrical appliances including hair dryers, curling irons, razors, MP3 players, computers, and other devices that must be plugged into an electrical source, must be cleared through the BioMed department. Please ask the unit charge nurse to assist you with having your device cleared and approved prior to use.

Fire/Code Red

For your protection and to comply with Fire Prevention Standards and local regulatory agencies, Valley Presbyterian Hospital performs frequent fire drills. When the fire bells are activated, please remain calm and stay in your room. Fire doors will be closed during a drill. Your nurse will arrive shortly with additional information or assistance. If appropriate, the nurse will remove you from the room.

Preventing Falls

Patients are at risk for falling in the hospital. An unfamiliar environment, the effects of medications, illness, and or injury can cause you to be unsteady on your feet. We created our Walk With Me program to ensure your safety while here at Valley Presbyterian Hospital. Please take the following steps to ensure your safety every time you get out of bed or a chair:

• Please do not get up on your own. When you need assistance walking or going to the bathroom, please call for help. Someone will be available to walk with you.
• Keep the call button and necessary items, such as your glasses, tissues, the telephone, and anything else you need, within reach.
• When you get assistance, rise slowly from your bed or chair to prevent dizziness. Sit on the edge of the bed or in the chair for at least 30 seconds before standing up.
• Wear properly-fitted shoes or slippers with non-skid soles. If putting on footwear is difficult, please ask for help.
• Walk close to the wall and hold onto the handrail while in the bathroom.
• Do not try to move IV poles or other equipment on your own.

Only a staff member should assist you while walking. Even though we know your loved ones only have your best interest at heart, they may not know the proper way to prevent you from falling.