Patient Safety

St. Francis Medical Center strives to assure the highest level of patient care, comfort and safety.  All Associates at St. Francis Medical Center are committed to patient safety. You and your family member are an important member of the health care team.

Your responsibilities as a member of the health care team are as follows:

1. PROVIDING INFORMATION
   • Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, current  medications , and other matters relating to your health or your family member’s health.
2. ASK QUESTIONS & SPEAK UP
   • Ask questions when you do not understand what you have been told about your care or the care of your family member, or what you are expected to do.
   • Ask  the nurse about  medications being given to you, especially about the side effects.
   • Ask for help if you need to get out of bed, go to the restroom and think you might fall.
   • Don’t be afraid to ask about your safety concerns.
   • Don’t be afraid to tell the nurse if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication.
   • Don’t hesitate to tell the health care professional if you think they have confused you with another patient.
   • Tell your nurse if something does not seem quite right.
   • Should you have any concerns related to care, treatment, services or the patient safety of you or your family member, please contact the Patient Advocate at (310) 900-8572.
3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE CARE YOU ARE RECEIVING
   • Notice whether all members of the health care team wash their hands before providing care to you.  Don’t be afraid to remind them to do this.
   • Expect our Associates to introduce themselves to you when they enter your room.  Look for a St. Francis Medical Center identification badge.
   • Expect the members of the health care team to appropriately identify you by checking your armband or by verbally confirming your name and date of birth before any procedure or before providing treatment.
4. WHEN IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO BE DISCHARGED
   • Review your discharge instructions and make sure they include your activity, medications to be taken at home, diet and follow-up appointment.
   • When you go home, you may receive a patient satisfaction survey that will ask you about patient safety while you were in the hospital.  Please take time to answer these questions so that we can improve our Patient Safety Program.

Thank you for choosing St. Francis Medical Center.

Speak up if you have any questions or concerns.

• Speak Up (PDF)
• Speak Up – Spanish (PDF)

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