How Safe is Your Hospital?

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Hospital Safety

• Aren’t all hospitals safe places?• What can happen?• What does a safe hospital look like?

And most importantly…• How do I stay safe in a hospital?

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Aren’t all hospitals safe places?

Unfortunately, no.

As many as 440,000 deaths occur from hospital errors and injuries each year.A study of Medicare patients showed that they had a one-in-four chance of experiencing injury, harm or death when admitted to a hospital.

Not all hospitals are safe!Company logo

What can happen?

• A nurse’s failure to wash her hands could spread disease from one patient to the next.

• Failure to comply with surgical checklists could mean a sponge or instrument is left inside you after surgery.

• Hospitals that don’t have a computer system for prescribing medications could mean you’d be given the wrong medicine, maybe even one that can harm you.

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What does a safe hospital look like?

Many hospitals can perform safe surgeriesSafer hospitals will ensure you don’t

get an infection while you’re recoveringMany hospitals encourage staff to wash their hands

Safer hospitals have policies in place to ensure they always do

Many hospitals have world-renowned doctorsSafer hospitals ensure those

doctors work together to keep you safe

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Making Patient Safety a Priority

Patient safety should be the number one priority at every hospital across the country.Some hospitals have hidden dangers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

How Do I Find a Safe Hospital?

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The Hospital Safety Score

The Hospital Safety Score grades hospitals on how safe they are for patients (meaning, how well a hospital protects patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections).

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The Hospital Safety Score

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Each A, B, C, D or F score comes from expert analysis of data that patients can use to protect themselves and their families from harm or death during a hospital stay.

How Safe is My Hospital?

• Visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org• Look up hospitals by name, city, or zip

code

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www.hospitalsafetyscore.org

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Search Results

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Choosing a Hospital

We recommend going to hospitals that receive an “A” Hospital Safety Score. If your local hospital rates below an “A”, you can:

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• Talk with your doctor at that hospital and urge them to improve their safety.

• Use these Safety Scores to start a conversation with hospital leadership and local policymakers about hospital safety.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

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Stay Safe in the Hospital

Use the Hospital Safety Score website to research the safest hospitals in your area so that you are prepared in case you or a family member needs hospital care.

Then…• Bring a trusted family member or friend with you• Share a list of all medications you’re taking with your

doctor as soon as you arrive at the hospital• Be alert and say something if you’re confused or

have concerns. During your stay, you or a companion should take notes to keep track of what’s happening.

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Your role

As the patient, you are an important part of the healthcare team. Stay vigilant and actively involved in your care, even if you’re receiving care at an “A” hospital.

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What is [Company] doing to keep me safe in the hospital?

• We urge all our employees to review the Hospital Safety Scores for hospitals that they might consider using and select hospitals that receive an “A” grade

• We can help you find the safest hospital in your community

• We will provide all employees with a checklist “What You Can Do to Stay Safe” to help guide your hospital stay

• Our [Wellness Champions/Nurses/HR Directors] are prepared to answer any questions you may have related to hospital care

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What else do I need to know about choosing a hospital?

• Organizations like The Leapfrog Group make information about hospital quality available to the public

• It is important to consider a hospital’s quality as well as safety, particularly if you are going to a hospital for a high-risk procedure or a service like maternity care

• Visit www.leapfroggroup.org/cp for more information on your hospital

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While many hospitals are good at keeping their patients safe, some hospitals aren’t. Some hospitals have hidden dangers you should know about. Remember, you are an important member of the healthcare team. You can make a difference when it comes to keeping you and your loved ones safe.

Visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org

to find our how your hospital is keeping its

patients safe.Company logo